Gasunie, Groningen Seaports and Shell announce NortH2. The aim of this project is for offshore wind farms to generate energy for hydrogen production. This year, the parties are considering whether their ambition is achievable.
The first step that Gasunie, Groningen Seaports and Shell want to take with NortH2 is the construction of large wind farms in the North Sea. The first wind turbines could be ready in 2027 and the parks could generate 3 to 4 gigawatts by 2030, the parties hope. The wish may have increased to 10GW in 2040, is the wish.
The other part of the project involves the construction of a major one electrolyser in the Eemshaven in the province of Groningen. In addition, similar facilities could be installed at sea. The facilities convert the generated electricity into hydrogen through electrolysis. The advantage of this is that hydrogen is relatively easy to store and transport as an energy carrier.
The third pillar of NortH2 includes the commissioning of a network in the Netherlands and northwest Europe to transport the estimated 800,000 tonnes of hydrogen. The aim is to use Gasunie’s natural gas infrastructure for this. In the first instance, the industry will purchase hydrogen, and possibly consumers later.
If the initiators consider the project feasible, the first hydrogen must be produced in Eemshaven by 2027. They point out that the planning depends on whether or not permits are issued by governments, the designation of places for new wind farms in the North Sea, the available locations of the hydrogen plant and the degree of investments of the parties involved.
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