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Installing a hydrogen pipeline temporarily requires additional space. This is where people and machinery operate, materials are stored and construction activities take place. We call this temporary area the work site.

Before the Preferred Alternative was adopted, we invited the local community and stakeholders to share their views on the proposed route. The draft Preferred Alternative was available for public consultation from 7 November to 18 December 2025. During this period, around 120 people attended three information meetings. In total, we received 31 responses from residents, businesses, municipalities and organisations.

Good news for the energy transition in Southwest Netherlands: the State Secretary for Climate and Green Growth has selected the preferred route for the hydrogen network. This route is referred to as the Preferred Alternative (PA). This marks an important milestone towards the development of the hydrogen network.

In a letter to the Dutch parliament dated Wednesday 23 September, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth once again emphasised the importance of hydrogen for a competitive, climate-neutral and resilient economy. The national hydrogen network plays a key part and, according to the government, is needed to kick-start the hydrogen market. “Companies can only invest if they have certainty about the network,” explained the minister. The government is therefore endeavouring to create more clarity on amortisation by the end of this year. This is a new financing model that will ensure affordable tariffs for hydrogen transmission. A decision about amortisation is needed in the short term for further development of the hydrogen transmission network and the hydrogen market.

Hydrogen Network Eastern Netherlands will be a key connection in the national network. It will connect industries in the north and south of the Netherlands with the hydrogen storage site and other countries.

Last spring, everyone had the opportunity to respond to the draft research plan for Hydrogen Network Western Netherlands. We received 70 responses, as well as seven identical responses. These included proposals and points of attention that may lead to adjustments to the potential routes. We are taking the time to carefully assess these proposals and considerations. As a result, we now expect to publish the final research plan by the end of 2026.

Valves are an important part of the hydrogen network. They help us control the flow of hydrogen safely. Valves allow us to temporarily isolate sections of a pipeline, when necessary, for example during maintenance or in the event of a fault.

Together, we are building the hydrogen network for the Netherlands to do our bit for the energy transition. Hydrogen will enable industry to go sustainable and reduce carbon emissions. Wherever we can, we are using existing natural gas pipelines and repurposing them for hydrogen transport. Where this is not possible we install new pipelines.

Municipality, province and businesses explore opportunities for a regional offtake point together with Hynetwork Hydrogen has been on the radar of both the Municipality of Oosterhout and businesses located at the Weststad industrial estate for quite some time. 'Hydrogen is an opportunity we do not want to miss,' says Anneke van Omme, Strategic Sustainability Advisor at the Municipality of Oosterhout. 'We can see that the electricity grid is reaching its limits. In that case, it is important to have alternatives available for companies that require high process temperatures.'

Industry in Zeeland accounts for 35% of current demand for hydrogen for the production of fertilisers, fuels and plastics in the Netherlands. Since this hydrogen is produced from natural gas, this region is responsible for a significant proportion of Dutch CO₂ emissions. The future hydrogen network in the southwest Netherlands will supply green hydrogen to industry in Zeeland and connect this region to other regions.

The construction of Hydrogen Network Western Netherlands will create an important connection between the industrial North Sea Canal Area and the industrial Rotterdam area.

The North Sea Canal Area is one of the Netherlands’ major industrial regions. It is an important area for logistics and industry. Sustainable hydrogen is needed to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in the region. The Hydrogen Network North Sea Canal Area will help achieve this goal by enabling companies in the region to use hydrogen in the future. The network will be connected to the national hydrogen network and will link the North Sea Canal Area to other industrial regions, hydrogen storage sites and international connections.

On 28 and 30 September, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Hynetwork organised two drop-in information sessions about the Hydrogen Network in the North Sea Canal Area. During the sessions, visitors were able to view information about the route, construction methods, safety and the results of the studies carried out for the project. We spoke to several visitors about their questions, points of attention and experiences. Anyone wishing to respond to the plans can do so until 29 October 2026.

The puzzle beneath our feet The Netherlands is building a nationwide hydrogen network that will connect industrial regions, ports, storage facilities, and future hydrogen producers and consumers. This infrastructure will enable hydrogen to be transported at scale to the places where it is needed most. Southwest Netherlands will play a key role in this network. A new connection will link the industrial and port areas of Vlissingen, Moerdijk and Belgium, helping to strengthen the region's position in the future hydrogen economy.

The hydrogen network in the Netherlands is an important part of the energy transition. To build this network, we will reuse existing natural gas pipelines and construct new ones. These new pipelines are installed underground. There are different techniques to do this. Below, you can read more about the four most used installation methods. You can also watch animations that explain these techniques.

As we build the national hydrogen network, we reuse existing natural gas pipelines wherever we can. Where this is not an option, we install new hydrogen pipelines. Find out more about how we reuse existing natural gas pipelines, install new hydrogen pipelines and always put safety first.