Europe Approves Fiscal Incentives to Boost Hydrogen Production
The Hague, Thursday, 20 February 2025.
Recent European decisions aim to enhance hydrogen production investments, particularly offshore, benefiting the Netherlands and aligning with sustainable energy and climate goals.
Dutch-Danish Collaboration Strengthens European Hydrogen Network
In a significant development for European hydrogen production, Denmark and the Netherlands signed a groundbreaking cooperation agreement on February 19, 2025 [2]. The signing ceremony, witnessed by King Frederik of Denmark and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, established the Dutch-Danish Offtake Declaration on Green Hydrogen, creating a framework for a robust hydrogen market in Northwestern Europe [2]. Danish Minister for Climate, Energy, and Utilities, Lars Aagaard, emphasized the urgency of reducing fossil fuel dependence, stating, ‘Fossil fuels still hold an oversized role in Europe, which we need to change, and green hydrogen is one of the solutions’ [2].
Major Industry Partnership Advances Green Hydrogen Production
TotalEnergies and Air Liquide announced a landmark partnership on February 18, 2025, to develop two significant green hydrogen projects in the Netherlands [4]. The initiative will produce 45,000 tons of green hydrogen annually, primarily powered by the OranjeWind offshore wind farm - a joint venture between TotalEnergies (50%) and RWE (50%) [4]. The projects include a 250 MW electrolyzer near the Zeeland refinery, set to produce 30,000 tons of green hydrogen annually by 2029, and a 130 MW electrolyzer project in Maasvlakte, scheduled to begin operations by late 2027 [4]. These installations are expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 450,000 tons annually from TotalEnergies’ refineries in Belgium and the Netherlands [4].
Dutch National Hydrogen Program Advances
The Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) is currently managing a significant offshore hydrogen production demonstration project [1]. The initiative aims to construct an electrolyzer with a capacity of 30-50 megawatts near the Hollandse Kust (noord) wind park, with commercial production scheduled to begin in 2031 [1]. Following feedback from industry stakeholders, the ministry has adjusted its timeline to allow consortiums more preparation time for project proposals, demonstrating a commitment to thorough implementation of this innovative program [1].