The Netherlands – Dutch Gasunie is looking into the prospects of setting up an offshore hydrogen network in the North Sea with partners.
The Netherlands has a sizable climate target to reach in the area of hydrogen generation. The Netherlands has set a lofty goal for its hydrogen production: 4 gigawatts by 2030. The standard is raised even higher internationally. Together with Germany, Denmark, and Belgium, the Netherlands signed the Esbjerg Declaration last summer, pledging to use the North Sea as a “green power plant.” They aim to generate 65 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, 20 gigawatts of which will be used to create green hydrogen.
The energy shift will heavily rely on green hydrogen. For instance, it will be utilized as a feedstock for the chemical sector and to assist in making heavy industries and transportation more environmentally friendly.
Solar and wind energy are used to produce green hydrogen. The electricity for this is primarily sourced from offshore wind projects in the Dutch hydrogen ambitions. There is potential for the necessary energy to be produced on a massive scale along the Dutch continental shelf in the North Sea. According to the plans, cables will be the major method used to bring electricity from new wind farms onto land up until 2030. At electrolysis plants on land, it can be transformed into green hydrogen.
Offshore hydrogen production
Nevertheless, installing electricity cables is an expensive process, made even more so for the upcoming offshore wind farms. The offshore cable network’s investment expenditures are estimated by the Dutch government to be around 26 billion euros. Offshore electrolysis, which is near to the power source, is now also being taken into consideration, in part because of this. This power would be utilized to generate hydrogen on-site rather than first bringing it onshore via a costly cable.
Pipelines would subsequently be used to carry this hydrogen to the mainland. In addition to being far less expensive than installing a cable, laying an offshore pipeline allows for the simultaneous conveyance of more energy. According to research, large-scale onshore electrolysis has higher social costs than offshore hydrogen production.
Currently, Gasunie is looking at the viability of constructing an offshore hydrogen network. This study was ordered by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy after studies revealed that a sizable 85% of the current gas pipeline network can safely transport hydrogen.
So far, all electrolysis initiatives have been conducted on land. The ability to make hydrogen at sea is still in its infancy. According to Gasunie, larger pilots and projects could be operational in 2028 or 2029.
