Hydrogen network plans for the eastern region of the Netherlands presented to the local community

Gerben van Dijk, local community manager for the ‘Eastern Netherlands Hydrogen Network’ project, explains what the plans are and how everyone can contribute ideas and have their say. 

Why is a hydrogen network being constructed?

‘Industry in the Netherlands currently accounts for some 25% of carbon emissions. We can reduce these industrial emissions by using hydrogen as a feedstock and fuel. Reducing emissions is essential if we are to prevent further global warming and achieve the climate targets.’

‘The hydrogen network in the eastern region of the Netherlands is part of the national network for the transmission of hydrogen that the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth has commissioned Hynetwork to construct. This network will connect the five major industrial clusters in the Netherlands with each other, with surrounding countries and with hydrogen storage sites.’

What will happen in the eastern part of the Netherlands?

‘In the eastern part of the Netherlands, we can use existing natural gas pipelines and repurpose these for the transmission of hydrogen. These are pipelines between Ommen (in the province of Overijssel), Angerlo, Zevenaar (in the province of Gelderland), Ravenstein and Boxtel (in the province of Noord-Brabant). In total, this will create a 150km-long pipeline connecting to other parts of the hydrogen network. There will also be a border connection with Germany at Zevenaar. The conversion of the pipeline will start in 2028 at the earliest and the pipeline must be ready for use by 2032 at the latest.’

What will local communities notice when the hydrogen network is being built?

‘The network consists entirely of natural gas pipelines that can be repurposed. Converting pipelines is a sustainable and more cost-effective solution. It also ensures that the impact on the local environment and communities is much less than it would be with installing new infrastructure. At a few locations along the route we will be converting valve stations. This is where we control the flow of hydrogen and direct hydrogen to other pipelines in the network. We will be removing the valve stations at most sites and sometimes we can clear these away completely, meaning that the facilities above ground can be cleared.’

‘All the work we are doing is temporary and we are trying to keep nuisance and inconvenience to a minimum. We also want to inform the local communities about these works well in advance. As for the actual transmission of hydrogen through pipelines, just like with natural gas you won’t notice this at all. And we believe that the transmission of hydrogen can be done just as safely as the transmission of natural gas.’

How can local communities help shape the plans?

‘The Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth and Hynetwork feel it’s important for everyone to have the opportunity to contribute ideas and have their say. For example, there are opportunities for people to give their input on a possible alternative route, the expansion of the valve locations and ways in which the local community can participate. Though, because this concerns repurposing existing pipelines, an alternative route can only consist of other existing gas pipelines. This means that Gasunie will also continue to monitor these pipelines as possible alternatives.’  

‘This project requires permits from various government authorities. To ensure that permitting runs smoothly, the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth is coordinating the decision-making process. To guide all of this there is an official project procedure. By following the steps in this procedure, we engage everyone involved or affected as best we can so that we can arrive at the decision on how to proceed.’

‘The first step in the project procedure is the publication of the Notification of Intention and Proposal for Participation. This document will be available for inspection from Friday 7 March to Thursday 17 April 2025, during which time everyone is invited to respond to the plans.’  

Meetings

‘We want to explain the plans to local residents and other stakeholders, tell them how we intend to keep them informed, and explain how everyone can contribute their thoughts and respond to the plans. For this purpose we are organising a webinar and two evening drop-in sessions.’

The webinar

This online meeting will be held from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday 19 March.

You can register online on the Netherlands Enterprise Agency’s website. After registering, you will receive a link by email to participate in the webinar.

Evening drop-in sessions

The evening drop-in sessions are scheduled for the following dates:

• Tuesday 25 March, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Kulturhus 't Kruispunt in Laren (Gelderland)
• Wednesday 26 March, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Boerderij 't Dommeltje in Boxtel (Noord-Brabant)

You do not need to register to attend these events: you’re welcome to drop in anytime between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Where can you go for more information or to get answers to your questions?

‘You can contact me, as the local community manager, if you have any questions. You can reach me using the contact form at the bottom of the project page on the Hynetwork website, where you will also see my contact details. I will also be present at the evening drop-in sessions. I hope to see you there.