Pilot projects prove green hydrogen’s potential in the Netherlands

Innovations are required for the production, transport, storage and use of hydrogen. Our R&D programme supports knowledge institution and commercial enterprise consortiums in the development of the former. It is then important to ascertain whether the innovations work. To this end, our pilot programme supports this essential step towards commercialisation by funding a variety of pilots, small-scale demonstrations and regional testing facilities.

12 Successful Projects

Groenvermogen has a € 100 million budget for the pilot programme. This has primarily been utilised in the DEI+ Hydrogen and Green Chemistry Scheme. There were two opportunities for entrepreneurs to submit subsidy requests. This led to 12 successful projects throughout the hydrogen chain: from cost-efficient production, transport and storage to immediate use as well as insight into emissions and the levels of socio-economic support.

Definitive Investment Decision A good example of a successful project is H2 Hollandia. In Nieuw-Buinen in the Province of Drenthe, the initiators Repowered, Avitec and Novar have built a green hydrogen production facility adjacent to a large solar park. The 300,000 solar panels often generate more electricity than the grid can handle. This surplus will then be converted into approx. 300,000 kg hydrogen per year and will, among other destinations, go to petrol stations for heavy transport. H2 Hollandia also supplies pure oxygen for, for instance, the aeration of water treatment plants. By now, the initiators have made the definitive investment decision to take the production location into operation.

25% More Energy Produced

Another promising production location for green hydrogen is situated in Kootwijkerbroek. In late 2024, Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth opened the H2 Experience Center, where the innovative XINTC company demonstrates its own, advanced electrolysis system that is linked to a local solar park. The XINTC system monitors the fluctuating solar power output using smart electronics ensuring the electrolyser is switched on and off at a high frequency. At the H2 Experience Center, stakeholders can see how the technology provides up to 25% more energy from solar parks than its competitor’s systems.

Setting Up an Entire Value Chain

Green hydrogen production will take off once there is sufficient demand. However, the latter will only develop if enough is being produced. The partners in the Duwaal project have broken out of this vicious circle by setting up an entire value chain: from integrated hydrogen production at a wind turbine and high-pressure storage, road transport to at least five petrol stations as well as the purchase and management of 100 hydrogen trucks. Setting up the chain in one go creates sufficient scale for cost reduction. This funds the chain and makes it appealing for other hydrogen projects to join in.

Curious About the Other Projects? View all our pilot projects here.