Holland Hydrogen I Overview

Holland Hydrogen I is being built by Shell and is being constructed on Tweede Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam. With an electrolyzer capacity of 200 MW, it is expected to produce about 21,900 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. It is being developed using large-scale 20 MW alkaline water electrolysis modules supplied by ThyssenKrupp Uhde, a subsidiary of Chlorine Engineers. 

The plant is planned to produce up to 60,000 kg of green hydrogen per day, which will be delivered via the HyTransPortRTM pipeline to the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam to replace fossil-based hydrogen in industrial processes.

The project is part of Shell’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with the hydrogen produced intended for use at Shell’s Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam (Pernis). Once operational, the project is expected to become one of the largest green hydrogen projects in Europe.

Project Background

Shell initially announced the Holland Hydrogen project as Europe's biggest green hydrogen plant on 6th July 2022 by signing an FID. On 24th September 2024, Shell and TenneT signed a connection and transport agreement, under which, once operational, the plant's electrolyser will be connected to the Maasvlakte 380 kV high-voltage substation via a temporary connection.  

Once the Amaliahaven 380 kV high-voltage substation is commissioned, it will be connected to the Holland Hydrogen I. The Holland Hydrogen I, once operational, will help Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam (Pernis) to become more sustainable. 

On 11th March 2024, Worley was awarded the service contracts under which it will provide detailed design, procurement, construction, and management support services, including critical integration with key vendors and other assets, such as offshore wind, pipelines, electrical grids, and the refinery.

The Dutch National Hydrogen Strategy aims to generate up to 500 MW by 2025 & 4 GW by 2030. The scaling up of the green hydrogen value chain in the Netherlands is expected to create between 5,110 and 18,200 jobs by 2030. It includes many hydrogen projects in the Netherlands, including Holland Hydrogen I. 

Holland Hydrogen I Location

The Holland Hydrogen I facility is strategically located at Maasvlakte 2, within the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands. This location is well-connected to offshore wind farms and features existing industrial infrastructure, making it an ideal site for green energy production.

Holland Hydrogen I Timeline

Project Scope

• Hydrogen Production Capacity: The Holland Hydrogen I aims to produce 60,000 kg of green hydrogen per day. It will produce approximately 21,900 tonnes of green hydrogen annually.

• Total Capacity: The project includes the installation of a 200 MW PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolyzer.

• Technology: The project is developed using large-scale 20 MW alkaline water electrolysis modules supplied by ThyssenKrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers.

• Reduce emissions: The production of green hydrogen results in a reduction of carbon emissions. 

• Connectivity: The project intends to connect with the national and international hydrogen networks via the HyTransPortRTM pipeline.

Holland Hydrogen I Project Cost

 The estimated cost of the project is USD 800 million (approximately EUR 728 million), with Phase 1 and Phase 2 each estimated at USD 400 million.

The project is also supported by the Dutch Government’s EUR 1 billion subsidy scheme, which helps cross the cost gap between green & gray hydrogen by providing production incentives of up to EUR 9/kg (approximately USD 9.72).

Holland Hydrogen I Contractors

What is HyTransPort Pipeline?

The HyTransPort pipeline, also known as HyTransPortRTM, is a 32-kilometer hydrogen pipeline being developed in the Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, by HyNetwork Services (a subsidiary of Gasunie) in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority. It has a diameter of 24 inches (61 cm) and is designed to handle large volumes of hydrogen, including expected imports and locally produced green hydrogen. There are five planned branch-off points for future connections to consumers or producers of hydrogen.

Industrial & Economic Benefits of the project

This project supports the decarbonization of industries such as refining and chemicals, which are crucial to the Dutch economy, by producing 60,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen daily from the Hollandse Kust (Noord) offshore wind farm.

A 32 km pipeline (HyTransPortRTM) connecting the hydrogen plant to the national hydrogen network enhances infrastructure for industrial clusters, potentially attracting further investments in green technologies.

Benefits

• CO2 Reduction: The Holland Hydrogen Project produces a minimum of 60,000 kilograms of hydrogen daily & will reduce CO2 by 2.4 million tons over the first decade.

• Clean Energy Transition: The project supports the clean energy transition by producing large-scale green hydrogen using offshore wind power, thereby reducing emissions and enabling the production of sustainable fuel. 

• Cleaner Fuel for Refineries: The green hydrogen produced will be used to replace grey hydrogen, cutting fossil fuel dependence.
  

• Scalable Hydrogen production: With a 200 MW generation capacity, the project sets new standards for large-scale hydrogen production in Europe. 
  

• Grid Stability: The Holland Hydrogen facility converts surplus electricity into stored hydrogen. It balances the grid & reduces curtailment. 
  

• Aligns with the EU’s goal for 2030: The Holland Hydrogen I aligns with the EU’s goal of producing & importing 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030. 
  

• Economic boost: By positioning the Netherlands as a major producer in the global hydrogen market, it will drive long-term economic growth.

Conclusion

The Holland Hydrogen I is a transformative project for Europe’s renewable energy future. As it will be one of the largest green hydrogen projects in Europe, it highlights the potential for large-scale hydrogen production through offshore wind. The project plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors by replacing fossil-based hydrogen with clean alternatives in industrial processes. 

It also positions the Netherlands as a frontrunner in the emerging hydrogen economy, fostering innovation, job creation, and energy security. Overall, Holland Hydrogen I set a strong foundation for scaling green hydrogen solutions globally.

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