Contributing ideas and feedback
Hydrogen Network Netherlands is not a temporary installation. Once the pipelines are in place, they will stay there for a long time. That is why the local environment is very important to us. After all, we are well aware that we are guests on and in someone else’s land. We want to enjoy a friendly relationship with you and your neighbours in the area where we want to lay the hydrogen network. We also think it is important that you be able to share your ideas at the various steps in the Project Procedure.
Why is there a Project Procedure?
Hydrogen Network Netherlands is a large and important project for the Netherlands. It is a project of national significance, so the national government organises the decisions that are made about it. The Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth is responsible for this. Energy projects such as the hydrogen network are subject to the Environment and Planning Act. For this reason, we will follow the Project Procedure (formerly the Government Coordination Scheme procedure) for this project. This procedure is divided into eight steps.
The eight steps in the Project Procedure
Below you can read about what happens in the various steps. At the steps outlined in the blue boxes, you can comment on plans, studies or results. You can submit your comments to the Energy Projects Agency, part of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). At the other steps in the procedure, you cannot submit an official response. Of course, you are always welcome to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Step 1. Intention and Proposal for Participation (VenP)
The VenP consists of two parts: the Intention and the Proposal for Participation. Its publication launches the project. The Intention describes exactly what the project entails, why it is needed and what steps need to be taken before construction can begin. It also identifies the parties involved in the project and which other developments the project takes into account.
The Proposal for Participation describes how organisations, citizens, businesses and administrators will be involved in the project. It also clarifies why Hynetwork and the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth consider it important to engage with all those who are affected or interested in a timely manner. In addition, the proposal describes who will be involved in the project and how and when you can contribute ideas and give feedback. The publication of the Intention and Proposal for Participation marks the start of discussions with the various parties.
The Intention and Proposal for Participation are available for inspection for six weeks. During those weeks, everyone is invited to respond to the plans via the Energy Projects Agency (RVO). You can ask questions, give feedback, and offer suggestions and ideas or alternatives. The Energy Projects Agency collects all the comments and ensures that the project team responds to and publishes them (anonymously) at www.bureau-energieprojecten.nl.
Step 2. Draft Scope and Detail Memorandum (draft NRD)
It is important to investigate the potential impact of each route on the environment and the surrounding areas. In addition, it is necessary to investigate what technology is needed, what costs are involved and what other developments need to be considered (what we call futureproofing).
To ensure that these studies can be done, a research plan is drawn up in the second step of the procedure. This is called the draft of the Scope and Detail Memorandum (draft NRD). It describes which possible routes are being considered and which effects will be investigated for each possible alternative. When drafting the research plan, the comments on the Intention and Proposal for Participation (step 1) are considered. The Scope refers to what needs to be investigated and the Detail is about how deep the investigation should go.
Everyone can comment on the draft NRD before the plan is finalised. There is a six-week period during which people can comment via the Energy Projects Agency (RVO). The Energy Projects Agency collects all the comments and ensures that the project team responds to and publishes them (anonymously) at www.bureau-energieprojecten.nl.
Step 3. Adoption of the Scope and Detail Memorandum (NRD)
Once all the feedback has been collected and processed, the NRD will be adopted and published at www.bureau-energieprojecten.nl. The studies that Hynetwork will carry out for the project and the way this will be done are now fixed. Next, the various investigations are carried out. The results of the studies will be elaborated on in a Comprehensive Effects Analysis (IEA), of which the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA Phase 1) is a part.
Step 4. Draft Preferred Alternative (VKA) and Comprehensive Effects Analysis (IEA) (including project EIA Phase 1)
In this phase, the Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth and the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations announce their preferred location or route for the project. The preferred route is described in the draft Preferred Alternative. The ministers make this decision based on the research results in the Comprehensive Effects Analysis (including EIA Phase 1), recommendations from regional authorities, and the advice from the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment.
The three documents (draft Preferred Alternative, Environmental Impact Report and Comprehensive Effects Analysis) will be available for public inspection for six weeks. Anyone can comment on the documents before the route of the project is finalised (the definitive Preferred Alternative or VKA). The Energy Projects Agency collects all the comments, ensures that the project team responds to them and finally publishes all the anonymised comments and responses at www.bureau-energieprojecten.nl.
Step 5. Adoption of the Preferred Alternative
In this phase, the Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth and the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations determine the final route. They base that decision on research results, feedback from the surrounding area and advice from regional authorities and the Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment. Now the environmental impacts of the chosen route will be examined in more detail: Phase 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment is drawn up. There is no opportunity to comment on the choice in this step.
Step 6. Preparatory Decision
The Preparatory Decision reserves the site so no other projects can go forward at this location. This reservation is for a maximum of 1.5 years. There is no opportunity to comment in this step.
Step 7. Draft project decision and project EIA Phase 2
The Draft Project Decision and Project EIA Phase 2 further work out what the project will look like. For example, there are more detailed environmental, technical and cost studies for the chosen route. Based on these, the final project decision and the permits and exemptions will be drafted. The Netherlands Commission for Environmental Assessment plays an advisory role in this process.
The project decision and the permits and exemptions will be made available for inspection for six weeks. Everyone will be invited to respond to it via the Energy Projects Agency (RVO). The Energy Projects Agency collects all the comments, ensures that the project team responds to them and finally publishes all the anonymised comments and responses at www.bureau-energieprojecten.nl.
Step 8. Adoption of the project decision
The decision on what the project will look like is established in this step of the project. The project decision contains a description of the project. It also describes which permanent or temporary measures and facilities are required to carry out the project and which measures will be taken to reduce any adverse effects of the project on the residential surroundings. Appeals against the final project decision and permits can be submitted to the Council of State.