Plans for Groningen’s part of the national hydrogen network to be presented to the community
On Thursday 9 December, Gasunie and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) will announce our plans for the realisation of the hydrogen network in Groningen. We will do that via the publication ‘Intention and Proposal for Participation’. We would like to present these plans to the community, so we will organise several walk-in evenings for local residents and other interested parties. There, we will explain what is planned, how we would like to keep them informed, and how they can participate. The national hydrogen network should significantly reduce CO2 emissions from industry in Groningen and the rest of the Netherlands.
Hydrogen gains momentum in the northern Netherlands
The hydrogen network in Groningen will be part of the national network that Hynetwork Services is realising for the transport of hydrogen at the behest of EZK. That network should connect the five largest industrial regions in the Netherlands with each other, other countries and hydrogen storage sites. Those industrial regions are home to the high-volume consumers of hydrogen. In the province of Groningen, those regions are Eemshaven and the industrial area near Delfzijl. It is estimated that hydrogen can reduce CO2 emissions in this area by about 1 to 2 megatons a year.
Harry Smit, hydrogen project manager at Hynetwork Services and Holwierde native, explains: ‘Groningen has big plans for hydrogen: from production and import to use. And the ongoing energy crisis is only increasing these ambitions. With the hydrogen network, we are accelerating hydrogen developments in this region. It will be incredibly interesting to see how we can make sure the area where I was born continues to develop.’
Are companies in the area really keen on hydrogen?
‘I regularly speak to companies in the region that are interested in using hydrogen to become more sustainable. They are eager for it. I definitely think hydrogen developments will ensure economic activity continues. But we also see that companies are looking to move in this direction because of that. Those are mainly companies focused on the circular economy.’
How will the hydrogen network affect people in the surrounding area?
The network largely consists of natural gas transport pipelines that will be converted. In places where we cannot use existing pipelines, we will construct a new pipeline. This is a sustainable and relatively inexpensive solution, and it will have far less impact on the environment than new construction.
Harry Smit: ‘Gasunie has been doing this kind of project for natural gas for years. It’s not much different for hydrogen. The inconvenience caused by construction work is temporary, and we will try to minimise it by coordinating the work with the surrounding area in good time. You will not notice the transport of hydrogen through the pipelines, just as you don’t notice natural gas transport.’
‘We want to give everyone a chance to respond’
EZK and Hynetwork Services believe it is important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute ideas and join in the discussion.
Bram van der Heijden, from the Energy Projects Agency (EZK): ‘Green hydrogen is useful for big industry as a raw material and a high-temperature fuel. That’s why it makes sense for the hydrogen network to be rolled out first in the large industrial clusters, such as here around Eemshaven, Delfzijl and Emmen. In the long run, it will yield enormous benefits by reducing CO2 emissions and thus contributing to a cleaner living environment. But the network must be built first. Construction requires permits from various government bodies. To keep everything on track, EZK is coordinating the decision-making process. My role and that of my colleagues is to involve everyone as much as possible in the steps leading to the decision. For example, with a walk-in meeting. This will ensure the plans don’t come as a surprise to anyone, and everyone has the chance to respond to them.’
Read more about the hydrogen network in the Northern Netherlands. More information on how you can participate and on the walk-in meetings can be found on the Bureau of Energy Projects website.
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