Blue hydrogen a viable option for further decarbonization of Northern Netherlands
The Northern Netherlands sees blue hydrogen as a realistic decarbonization pathway. This is the conclusion of the report ‘Towards a first regional industrial hydrogen cluster around East Groningen,’ which was presented today to Barbara Verwayen, cluster director of Cluster 6. A broad consortium of diverse players from the Northern Netherlands published a report containing a feasibility study for developing a regional hydrogen cluster around the East Groningen Industrial Cluster (IC-OG). This would make IC-OG the first industrial ‘Cluster 6’ in the Netherlands to power its production processes with hydrogen.
Cluster 6 is a collection of industrial companies located throughout the Netherlands that manufacture products, or components thereof, for daily use. These production sites fall outside the five major industrial clusters included in the Climate Agreement, but they must still decarbonize. Today, all Cluster 6 companies gathered during a national meeting of Nederland Waterstofland (Netherlands Hydrogen Land) to discuss, among other things, greening through hydrogen. On behalf of the complete regional hydrogen value chain around IC-OG, the report ‘Towards a first regional industrial hydrogen cluster around East Groningen’ was presented. The companies hope not only to quickly develop a mature hydrogen cluster themselves but also to assist other clusters in the process, as they all face a common challenge: further sustainability.
Why hydrogen?
Nedmag, based in Veendam, is one of the companies part of IC-OG. Director of Operations At Plasman explains: “For some of our processes, electrification is technically unfeasible and alternatives like green gas are unavailable, making hydrogen the logical path to decarbonize. At the same time, long-term grid congestion and uncertainty regarding completely fossil-free electricity mean that companies need climate-friendly, affordable, and reliable alternatives. By blending hydrogen as a fuel, we can start quickly with limited adjustments and thus, as IC-OG companies, provide a boost to the hydrogen economy and the region.”
From blue to green
Companies from the consortium that worked on the report want to replace their natural gas consumption as quickly as possible, primarily with affordable low-carbon hydrogen—also known as blue hydrogen—produced in their own Groningen-Drenthe region. As a result, the region is expected to develop one of the country's first large-scale regional hydrogen clusters. This can serve as an example for an accelerated national and European rollout of hydrogen to Cluster 6 and other industries. For the energy transition, green hydrogen (hydrogen without CO2 emissions) is essential in the long term, but the transition requires speed and realism. By first applying cheaper blue hydrogen region-wide, significant steps can be taken quickly—partly thanks to an initial phase of hydrogen blending—paving the way for green hydrogen. “Anyone who wants to move quickly with CO2 reduction in industry cannot ignore blue hydrogen,” says Hans Coenen of the Gasunie Board of Directors. “It is quickly deployable, cost-competitive with electrification, and forms the bridge to affordable green hydrogen.”
Regional hydrogen market
The transition of the Industrial Cluster in East Groningen to hydrogen is a major step for the region. Regarding this, Erik Jan Bennema, Provincial Executive for the Province of Groningen, says: “The East Groningen Industrial Cluster (IC-OG) and other northern industrial clusters face a major decarbonization task, and as a Province, we support companies in their energy and raw material transition. Low-carbon hydrogen offers a realistic and affordable route to replace natural gas while simultaneously jumpstarting the regional hydrogen market. This report underlines that cooperation between companies, infrastructure parties, and governments is necessary to take this step in a timely and responsible manner.”
About the report
The report ‘Towards a first regional industrial hydrogen cluster around East Groningen’ was prepared by New Energy Coalition in coordination with: EBN, Enexis, ENGIE, Equinor, Gasunie, the companies united in IC-OG, Northgrid, Province of Groningen, and RWE. Click here to download the report.
