Base Load Power Hub Ushers in a New Era for Hydrogen as a Buffer for Wind Energy
The Base Load Power Hub (BLPH), a pioneering energy project combining electricity, hydrogen, and storage technology, was officially handed over on Friday from developer CrossWind (Shell/Eneco) to DOT. The handover marks not only the end of a five-year development process but also the beginning of a new phase in which hydrogen is used as a stabilizer between wind farms and the electricity grid.
Stable Power
The Base Load Power Hub was developed to address one of the biggest challenges of wind energy: its intermittent supply. When offshore wind generation exceeds grid capacity, the installation produces hydrogen. During shortages or periods of high electricity prices, that hydrogen is converted back into electricity via a fuel cell. The installation combines a 2.5 MW electrolyzer, a 1 MW fuel cell connected to hydrogen storage tanks, and a 1 MW / 5 MWh battery park, providing up to 48 hours of additional electricity at full capacity.
“The energy transition is not a sprint—it takes time,” said Bart-Jan Hoevers, CEO of Groningen Seaports. “The Base Load Power Hub is an important step toward a stable and flexible energy system. Here in the Eemshaven, production, knowledge, and infrastructure come together.”
Handover
CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco, won the tender for the offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Noord in 2020—not because of the highest bid, but due to its promise to invest in innovative technology. The BLPH was a spearhead of this plan. It was ultimately built in Italy and arrived in Groningen last week for the handover.
“We wanted to win the tender with a competitive and forward-looking package,” said Frans Everts, CEO of Shell Netherlands. “The Base Load Power Hub was one of five innovations demonstrating that we can guarantee stable energy supply even in periods without sun or wind.”
According to Karen de Lathouder, COO-A Eneco, the technology has now been proven. “By sharing this knowledge with the rest of the industry, we can improve the entire electricity supply. We have shown that it works.”
Although originally planned for offshore deployment, the hub was installed onshore in the Eemshaven. “This is wiser at this stage,” said Maria Kalogera, Innovation Manager at CrossWind. “As the first of its kind in the world, onshore deployment allows us to learn more, collect data, and share knowledge with partners such as TNO and the University of Groningen.”
From Electrons to Molecules
The handover to DOT (Delft Offshore Power) was symbolically marked with a coin. DOT founder Jan van der Tempel spoke about the next phase of the energy transition: “The build-up of green electricity from wind and solar has succeeded—it often no longer generates money. So it’s time to convert electrons into molecules. That’s what we’re doing here.”
Van der Tempel emphasized that the business case for a Base Load Power Hub is far from complete, but that is not the driver: “I’m not doing this for a business case. It’s the right thing to do. That’s why we do this—for our children.” Following the handover, the project was renamed Phynix. The installation will eventually be powered by local wind turbines rather than the Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm.
Hydrogen Award
At the event, Olympic swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo, ambassador for Nederland Waterstofland, presented the first Leader Award to the CrossWind project team. “We haven’t won an Olympic medal in hydrogen yet,” she joked, “but it’s important to celebrate all successes.”
She highlighted that the Netherlands now has more than 400 hydrogen projects. “We are seeing local value chains emerge around real, functioning projects. They inspire and deserve recognition. The Base Load Power Hub is such a leader—a project showing that the hydrogen economy is no longer a distant vision.”
Ecosystem in Eemshaven
The Eemshaven is rapidly developing into a hub for Dutch hydrogen infrastructure. “We have space here for electrolyzers, heavy industry, and nearby salt cavern storage,” said Hoevers. “It makes sense for the Base Load Power Hub to be here. It connects knowledge institutions, companies, and infrastructure into a single ecosystem.”
According to Jouke de Vries (Chair of the Executive Board, University of Groningen), this also attracts talent. “Previously, universities were built around libraries. Now it’s about innovation hubs. Projects like this attract students and researchers.”
“Everything comes together here to stabilize energy flows,” said René Peters of TNO. “The Base Load Power Hub is intended to de-risk the system and technology. We now have a real-life example to solve challenges along the way. From 2.5 MW, we need to scale to hundreds of megawatts—that’s a huge step, but the foundation is there.”
Peters added that the project also provides valuable data: “We compare real-world results with digital models to see how theory and reality align. This is crucial for scaling up.”
Hydrogen Value Chain
In a panel discussion led by emeritus prof. Catrinus Jepma of the University of Groningen, representatives from TNO, RWE, HyNorth, Equinor, and the municipality of Het Hogeland discussed the development of the hydrogen value chain. The conclusion: the industry moves slowly, but small projects are essential for gaining experience.
Jepma compared the current phase of hydrogen development to the early years of wind and solar energy. “If you add up all the subsidies for wind and solar over the past 25 years, it’s a huge amount. But those sectors are now self-sufficient.”
“We should do the same with electrolyzers. They are still expensive, like the first generation of wind and solar parks. Initially costly, but after the learning curve, they become competitive. Why not repeat that? In the meantime, relatively cheap blue hydrogen can bridge the gap to fully green production. It’s unlikely we’ll achieve a new energy system without molecules.”
“Six years ago, we thought we’d be much further by now,” said Julio Garcia (TNO). “But reality is tougher. Offshore hydrogen production is inevitable, but we need to learn to walk before we run. The problem is that the risk/reward ratio isn’t yet balanced. Building offshore electrolyzers saves significant onshore TenneT investments but brings more risk and upfront costs for the producer. You hardly get additional revenue for that yet.”
Lijs Groenendaal (RWE) stressed the importance of stable government policy: “The market won’t do everything on its own. Clear frameworks for production and offtake are essential. Otherwise, the hydrogen economy remains stuck in pilot phase. Small projects can kickstart infrastructure and the value chain.”
Blue Hydrogen
The panel also discussed blue hydrogen as a transitional phase. “Green hydrogen is the future, but blue helps build the infrastructure,” said Alexander Jongenburger (Equinor). “This creates a market in which green hydrogen can scale later.”
A participant suggested that the government could act as a launching customer, for example by requiring steel used in bridges to be made with green hydrogen. Once production exists, buyers will follow.
Offshore Wind
In Groningen, hydrogen will play an important role, Jepma predicts. “The government is heavily investing in offshore wind in the North Sea. A third of that energy will land in the Eemshaven, which the grid cannot fully absorb. That’s why Eemshaven will become a major hydrogen producer. The challenge is that industry currently compares future green hydrogen costs with the very low cost of natural gas.”
DOT founder Jan van der Tempel closed with optimism: “The market really starts when hydrogen flows—whether grey, blue, or green. Eventually, it will all be green. The Base Load Power Hub proves that the future has already begun.”
