In the heart of the bustling Port of Rotterdam, a monumental collaboration is underway that stands to redefine the future of energy production. The Holland Hydrogen 1 project, which has been recognized as the 2024 World Hydrogen Awards “Clean Hydrogen Project of the Year” by the Sustainable Energy Council, brings together thyssenkrupp nucera’s electrolysis know-how, Shell’s knowledge of the energy system, and the port’s infrastructure to build a ground-breaking 200 MW green hydrogen facility in Rotterdam.
The project, which will be one of Europe’s largest commercial renewable hydrogen production facility, is a blueprint for large-scale green hydrogen projects. thyssenkrupp nucera is leading engineering, procurement, and fabrication of the facility, which will use wind energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Once operational, it can produce up to 60,000 kilograms of green hydrogen per day.
By creating a hydrogen hub in the Netherlands, the project is designed to not only cater to the burgeoning demands of industry and mobility sectors but also pave the way for a more sustainable energy ecosystem. With projects covering the complete hydrogen value chain, including import/export, production, infrastructure, and usage in industry and heavy mobility, the Port of Rotterdam is uniquely positioned to help create a sustainable industrial ecosystem and distribute green energy across Western Europe.
A Leap toward Decarbonization
The increasing availability of renewable energy creates a real opportunity to succeed in the fight against climate change. A pillar of the energy transition toward industry decarbonization, green hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in hard-to-abate sectors.
Holland Hydrogen 1 is intended to help the nearby Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam become more sustainable. The hydrogen will be used as a raw material in the factory; a dedicated hydrogen pipeline will connect the plant with the Port of Rotterdam and its hydrogen customers.
The building itself is also designed to have as little impact on the environment as possible, for example by using solar panels and circular materials like sustainable wood, eco-flax wool, and plant-based paint. The surrounding grounds will serve as green retreats for birds and other small animals.
Collaborating to Reduce Emissions from Heavy Industry
The project also serves as a prime example of a well-functioning collaboration between key players along the value chain. It combines the supply, demand, and infrastructure aspects and the expertise of the three partners — the engineering and technology expertise of thyssenkrupp nucera, the expertise of Shell as a global energy company, and the infrastructure of the Port of Rotterdam — demonstrating how new energy solutions can work together to meet society’s need for clean energy.
The project will kick-start the hydrogen economy of the Netherlands, primarily in the Port of Rotterdam. This transformation toward an industry powered by clean energy will require large-scale applications in strategic and well-linked locations; Rotterdam is an ideal location for such a project. Currently one of the most important ports for the import of energy with good infrastructure to the Western European industries, the port will continue to play a key role for the import and distribution of green energy in Western Europe, including to the Ruhr area, whose industries require enormous amounts of green molecules.
Rotterdam also plays a central role in the European Hydrogen Backbone, an initiative designed to build an effective European hydrogen infrastructure based on existing and new pipelines.
Looking Toward a More Sustainable Future
With thyssenkrupp nucera’s industrial-scale water electrolysis producing green hydrogen and a strong partnership between industry leaders, the Hydrogen Holland I project offers a tangible pathway toward a carbon-neutral future. As nations around the globe rally behind the hydrogen economy, initiatives like this underscore our shared commitment to building a brighter, greener future for generations to come.
