Plans announced for the hydrogen pipeline in the western Netherlands

‘Industry is responsible for about 25% of the CO₂ emissions in the Netherlands. The use of hydrogen as a raw material and fuel can reduce those emissions. That is important to achieving the climate goals and stopping global warming.’

‘The hydrogen network in the western Netherlands will be part of the national network that Hynetwork is building for the transport of hydrogen at the behest of the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth. That network will connect the five largest industrial regions in the Netherlands with each other, a hydrogen storage site, and other countries.’

‘In the western Netherlands, the plan is to lay a hydrogen pipeline between the industrial regions in the North Sea Canal Area and Rotterdam. According to these plans, the pipeline will run between Spaarndam in North Holland and Mijnsheerenland in South Holland. This will allow us to reuse an existing natural gas pipeline between Spaarndam and Zuidbroek. There is no existing pipeline between Zuidbroek and Mijnsheerenland that we can reuse at present, so we will lay a new one there. We are now considering three possible routes for it.' 

‘The route between Zuidbroek and Ridderkerk is the same in all three alternatives because we see no other realistic options there. There are several options between Ridderkerk and Mijnsheerenland:

• Alternative 1: runs north of Barendrecht, parallel to the A15 through the municipalities of Krimpenerwaard, Ridderkerk, Barendrecht, Albrandswaard and Hoeksche Waard.
• Alternative 2: runs south of Barendrecht, between Barendrecht and the Old Meuse through the municipalities of Krimpenerwaard, Ridderkerk, Zwijndrecht, Barendrecht, Albrandswaard and Hoeksche Waard.
• Alternative 3: runs through the municipalities of Krimpenerwaard, Ridderkerk, Zwijndrecht and Hoeksche Waard. Where possible, this route would use a reserved strip intended for pipelines.’ 

‘The network is underground and will reuse some of the existing natural gas pipeline. That will become available as less and less natural gas transport occurs in the coming years. However, we need to convert this natural gas pipeline to make it suitable for hydrogen. Fortunately, we will not have to take the entire pipeline out of the ground to do this; we only need to perform work at a few locations. Converting this pipeline ensures that the nuisance to the surrounding area will be localised. Reusing a natural gas pipeline is also cheaper and better for the environment.’ 

‘We have to lay a large pipeline of up to 1050 mm in the ground, and of course this will not be an invisible or silent process. However, we are closely examining our options and various installation techniques to try to reduce the impact on the surrounding area wherever possible. The method used will depend on the location of the pipeline and the possibilities there. For instance, one technique involves inserting a pipeline locally underground and then pushing it for kilometres. That way, the pipeline is drilled underground and we can avoid having to dig open the ground everywhere.’  

‘Once the pipeline is in the ground, people will not be aware of the transport of hydrogen. This is the same as with natural gas, and hydrogen can be transported as safely as natural gas. We will also install a marker in the ground like we do for natural gas, so everyone knows there is a pipeline buried there. But there are restrictions at the pipeline location. For example, construction is not allowed above or beside the pipeline and no trees may be planted there.’

‘Hynetwork and the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth believe it is important that everyone has the opportunity to contribute ideas and join in the discussion. This certainly includes people and organisations that live or are located near the potential routes for the pipeline. So if you have any concerns we need to know about, information that could be important or ideas for a possible alternative route for the new pipeline, we would love to hear them. We would also like to hear any ideas on how we can best involve you in this project.’ 

‘This project will require a project decision and permits from government authorities. To keep that on track, the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth is coordinating the decision-making process. The procedure for this project is called the Project Procedure. Through the steps in that procedure, we include everyone as much as possible to ensure the project can go forward. The first step in the project procedure is the publication of the Intention and Proposal for Participation. That document will be available for inspection from Friday 4 April through Thursday 15 May 2025, and anyone can comment on the plans.’

‘We are organising an online meeting and four walk-in meetings on site to explain the plans to local residents and other interested parties. That includes how we intend to keep the surrounding area informed and how everyone can contribute ideas and comments. The online meeting will discuss the entire project, and the four walk-in meetings will be held in the area where the new pipeline construction will occur.’

The online meeting

The online meeting will start at 19:00 on Thursday 10 April 2025. This meeting will explain more about the project and provide an opportunity to ask questions. You can register for this online meeting by filling in the registration form at www.rvo.nl/waterstofnetwerk-wn. Once registered, you will receive a link via e-mail for the meeting.

Walk-in meetings on site

You are also welcome to talk with us in person at one of the walk-in meetings. You do not need to register for these meetings; simply drop in between 19:00 and 21:00.

• 14 April from 19:00–21:00 at the Dorpshart, van der Straatenplein 2, Mijnsheerenland.
• 16 April from 19:00–21:00 in Cultuurhuis Krimpen a/d Lek, De Markt 201, Krimpen aan de Lek.
• 22 April from 19:00–21:00 at the Voetbalvereniging Smitshoek, Smitshoekse Baan 25, Barendrecht.
• 23 April from 19:00–21:00 at the Van der Valk Hotel, Krommeweg 1, Ridderkerk.

‘As regional manager, you can come to me with questions. I can be reached via the contact form at the bottom of the project page on the Hynetwork website. I also will attend the walk-in meetings. Perhaps I will see you there!'

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