Frequently asked questions

Hynetwork is only concerned with the transport network for hydrogen and not about the production, import or use of hydrogen. 

Developing a hydrogen network project will have an impact on the surrounding area and the environment. In addition, there are already many other cables and pipelines in the crowded underground. We want to limit this impact. We will do so by using existing natural gas transport pipelines as much as possible. When new pipes are needed, we will join them to existing pipelines wherever possible. As with natural gas, the immediate vicinity of the pipeline (the route) will be kept free of buildings for safety reasons.

As well as the spatial impact, there also will be temporary disruptions during the construction and modification of pipelines and installations. Gasunie has extensive experience in building natural gas transport networks. The impact of a hydrogen network by Hynetwork will be similar. For example, there may be noise and vibrations, and space must be made available for work sites. As we get closer to construction, we will communicate promptly with neighbouring residents about the impact. You will not notice the transport of hydrogen through the pipes.

Construction of the hydrogen network requires permits from various government bodies. To keep everything on track, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) is coordinating the decision-making process. We call this the Project Procedure. EZK and Hynetwork Services believe it is important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute ideas. This is why we will organise walk-in meetings among other things, and there will be several opportunities to submit responses and comments.

No, we will not connect your home to the hydrogen network. Green hydrogen (produced with green electricity) is still in short supply, so it is important to make smart choices about where (green) hydrogen can be used and where it will have the greatest effect. For domestic use, such as heating, showering and cooking, there are already suitable sustainable alternatives, such as electric heating. For other sectors, such as heavy industry, green hydrogen is often the only way to become sustainable. Therefore, our limited supply of green hydrogen should be used mainly in those sectors where, even in the long term, there is no sustainable alternative.

 
Connecting homes and smaller businesses is the job of regional grid operators, such as Stedin or Enexis. They are exploring the possibility of a hydrogen network for homes and smaller businesses in the future.

As with the natural gas network, we make a distinction in the hydrogen network between a high-pressure network (being developed by Hynetwork) and a low-pressure network (being developed by distribution network operators such as Alliander). Hynetwork is only laying a high-pressure network. In the future, regional distribution networks can be linked to the national hydrogen network operated by Hynetwork. Currently, the legal framework of linking distribution networks to the national hydrogen network is not yet in place.

Hydrogen can be transported in various ways, such as by boat, lorry or pipeline. To ensure that all large industrial companies can use hydrogen, we are building a hydrogen network in the Netherlands. This network will link the industrial clusters in the Netherlands to each other, to foreign countries, and to hydrogen import and storage sites.

Industry in the Netherlands is currently responsible for about 25% of the country’s CO₂ emissions. The use of hydrogen as a raw material and fuel can reduce industrial emissions and contribute to achieving the climate goals. The hydrogen network will connect our largest industrial regions to each other, to hydrogen storage and import sites, and to foreign countries.