Rotterdam (energate) - The port of Rotterdam can supply north-western Europe with at least 4.6 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2030. That would be a much larger sum than previously thought. It results from projects that companies and exporting countries are currently working on, according to a statement signed by the port of Rotterdam and around 70 companies in the industry. The projects include plans for the local production of hydrogen as well as imports from all over the world.
Hydrogen for more energy independence for Europe
The Port of Rotterdam Authority has now presented this offer to EU Commission vice-president Frans Timmermans on its behalf. The aim is to gain more speed in the development of a hydrogen economy together with the EU. "The use of sustainable hydrogen contributes substantially to the European goals of combating climate change and increasing Europe's energy independence," commented Allard Castelein, managing director of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. According to the signatory companies, which include Eon, RWE, Uniper, Steag and Shell, two framework conditions are needed for this: firstly, the certification of hydrogen and secondly, closing the financial gap between grey and green energy.
Big plans in Rotterdam
In the port of Rotterdam, an area of over 20 hectares is currently being built on the site of the former Stargate oil terminal for the transhipment of hydrogen and renewable fuels (
energate reported). This includes an ammonia terminal for the import of hydrogen (
energate reported). According to the port authority, it is currently expecting import projects of at least 4 million tonnes by 2030, because countries all over the world are already preparing for this new energy supply. Chile, for example, has recently positioned itself as a hydrogen supplier for Rotterdam (
energate reported).
Production and transport
In addition to imports, at least 0.6 million tonnes of hydrogen per year are to be produced locally in the future. For example, the oil and gas company Shell is working on the construction of a 200 MW electrolyser, which will be fed with offshore wind power from the "Hollandse Kust (Noord)" park (
energate reported). A total of 2.5 GW of electrolysis capacity is to be built around the port by 2030. In addition, a project for the production of low-carbon hydrogen from refinery gas is being planned. The Dutch Gasunie has also been working for some time on the corresponding pipeline infrastructure for transport. A 32-kilometre-long hydrogen pipeline within the port area will later be connected to the national hydrogen network, as well. Gasunie wants to put it into operation by 2027 and use it to create international connections with Germany, Belgium and beyond. /ml
