Hydrogen Valley

Industry in the North Sea Canal Area emitted approximately 18 megatons of CO2 in 2021, including energy production. These emissions must be drastically reduced. One way to do this is by using CO2-free hydrogen. However, the current industrial processes in the area require much more hydrogen than local producers can supply. By connecting to the national hydrogen network, the North Sea Canal Area will have access to hydrogen from other clusters, from hydrogen storage and from the European hydrogen network. In addition, several terminals in the Port of Amsterdam are preparing for large-scale import of hydrogen via ships.

Ecolog, a midstream company specializing in liquid CO₂ (LCO₂) and liquid hydrogen (LH₂), is developing the world’s first liquid hydrogen import terminal and CO₂ export terminal at the Port of Amsterdam. The facility aims to import 200,000 tons of RFNBO-compliant sustainable hydrogen annually by 2029, supporting decarbonization of industry and mobility in the NSCA and beyond. Integrated with CO₂ liquefaction for sequestration within the European Economic Area (EEA), this project offers a dual solution for emissions reduction.

Project H2era in Amsterdam is one of Europe’s largest green hydrogen initiatives. Planned for 2027, this 500 MW electrolyzer in the Port of Amsterdam will use offshore wind power to produce hydrogen, adjusting production dynamically to grid conditions. Positioned between Schiphol Airport and Tata Steel Netherlands, H2era will play a key role in stabilizing the electricity grid while accelerating the regional hydrogen economy.

By 2030, Tata Steel Netherlands (TSN) will reduce its CO₂ emissions by 40%, (5 mioT/yr), aiming for full carbon neutrality by 2045. Transitioning from coal-based blast furnace technology to Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and electric furnaces, TSN will shut down its first blast furnace, coke & gas plants by 2030. Initially, the DRI plant will run on natural gas and/or biomethane before switching to hydrogen as soon as sufficient affordable supply is available—without requiring modifications.

DOPS Recycling Technologies and green digester Sustenso want to set up a biomethanol plant and a power station for green electricity on the Boekelermeer industrial estate in Alkmaar. The installation will run on waste streams from industry. The new factory will use DOPS’ thermolysis technology, which makes it possible to convert biobased waste into hydrogen, carbon monoxide and solid carbon. Hydrogen and carbon monoxide can easily be converted into biomethanol.

Norwegian energy producer Statkraft is preparing to install an electrolyser in the Port of Den Helder. The investment is part of the green hydrogen project “Zephyros” and will make a substantial contribution to making the Port of Den Helder and the Hydrogen Valley in North Holland more sustainable. The project will start with a 6-megawatt electrolyser, enough for the annual consumption of 10-20 inland vessels. Statkraft plans to scale up to 150 MW (45 vessels) at a later stage. The start of Phase 1 is planned for the end of 2027. Statkraft/Zephyros is one to the eleven projects that in 2025 were granted a significant subsidy by the Dutch government.

A large-scale international programme in which renewable energy is produced and consumed locally by and for business parks and local residents. Alkmaar is the first “Renewable Energy Valley” in this project and will serve as an example for valley areas to be developed across Europe. On 20 May 2025, the energy project “REFORMERS/Renewable Energy Valley Alkmaar” received the award for best “Clean Hydrogen Project” during the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam.

In North Sea Hydrogen Valley Ports (NS H2V Ports), a consortium is working together with all relevant stakeholders to further develop the hydrogen programmes of the seaports of Brest, Esbjerg, Bremen and Den Helder into concrete roadmaps, as a basis for the realisation of a maritime Hydrogen Valley. These ports will play a key role in the production, import, export and distribution of green hydrogen (H2) and Power-to-X (PtX) fuels such as methanol and ammonia.

HyNoCa (HYdrogen No CArbon) is a large demonstration project focused on producing (green) hydrogen and biochar from organic waste streams. For hydrogen production, HyNoCa uses two residual materials: digestate (a by-product of anaerobic digestion) and dried sewage sludge provided by waste processor HVC. The hydrogen is produced through thermolysis, a process in which substances are decomposed by heat. In HyNoCa’s case, organic waste is transformed at high temperatures into hydrogen. This process also generates biochar, a charcoal-like substance used as a soil enhancer. Biochar can play a key role in fighting climate change, as it captures CO₂ that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere and stores it in the soil.

The Fieldlab Hydrogen in Agriculture is a practical testing ground where farmers, researchers, and governments collaborate on hydrogen innovation. It focuses on applying hydrogen in heavy agricultural machinery and integrating it into farm operations. The project also explores hydrogen’s role in reducing fossil fuel use and solving grid congestion. Education and training are key elements, preparing technicians for future hydrogen technologies. Fieldlab activities take place at four sites, including Loonbedrijf Sturm-Jacobs (testing hydrogen-powered equipment) and Rainbow Colors (converting surplus green energy into hydrogen). The initiative emphasizes shared learning and knowledge exchange across sectors.

Hynetwork (Gasunie) is building a national hydrogen network to connect production, storage and industrial use with major European industry clusters. A key branch will extend to Den Helder, a future hub for large-scale green hydrogen production and import. Thanks to its offshore wind potential and existing infrastructure, North Holland is well positioned to lead in CO₂-free hydrogen. The backbone rollout started in 2023 and focuses first on industrial regions. In December 2024, the final route for the crucial west-east connection was confirmed. This network will make the Netherlands a central hydrogen hub in Europe.

H2 Gateway is a planned hydrogen plant in Den Helder aiming to produce 0.2 megatons of blue hydrogen annually. Though currently on hold, the project remains a key opportunity to supply major industrial clusters with low-carbon hydrogen. Den Helder’s existing gas infrastructure and proximity to North Sea CO₂ storage make it an ideal location for blue hydrogen production. With competitive pricing and reliable supply, H2 Gateway—alongside NortH2—could help decarbonize sectors like steel, which alone requires 0.4 megatons of hydrogen per year. Business and technical feasibility studies were completed in 2023, and public presentations have been held, keeping the project visible while awaiting further decisions.