Ørsted Secures €10 Million Grant for Zeeland's Green Hydrogen Infrastructure
Zeeland, Tuesday, 1 October 2024.
Ørsted has been awarded a €10 million grant from the Just Transition Fund to develop renewable hydrogen infrastructure in Zeeland, Netherlands. The project centers on a 380kV substation to power electrolysers, enabling green hydrogen production from offshore wind energy. This initiative aims to support industrial decarbonization and sustainable transport in the region.
The Scope of the Project
The 380kV substation is pivotal to the project’s success, as it will transport electricity generated from offshore wind farms to the electrolysers. These electrolysers will then produce hydrogen through electrolysis, a process that separates water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. According to Pedro Roggeveen, Regulatory Affairs Advisor at Ørsted, the absence of such a system would make renewable hydrogen production unfeasible. Ørsted has been focused exclusively on sustainable energy since 2017, making this project a natural extension of their mission.
Strategic Location: Zeeland
Zeeland is an ideal location for this green hydrogen initiative due to its abundant offshore wind resources and existing industrial demand for hydrogen. Ørsted’s Borssele 1&2 wind farms, the company’s first in the Netherlands, provide a substantial supply of green electricity. Currently, the industrial sector in Zeeland relies heavily on hydrogen produced from fossil fuels. By transitioning to renewable hydrogen, the heavy industry and transport sectors, particularly shipping and freight, can significantly reduce their carbon footprints.
System and Climate Benefits
The introduction of the 380kV substation will have dual benefits. First, it will reduce CO2 emissions by replacing fossil-based hydrogen with renewable hydrogen. Second, it will alleviate grid congestion in Zeeland. Electrolysers can adapt their hydrogen production to the fluctuating electricity outputs from the offshore wind farms, thereby maintaining grid stability. This adaptability is crucial, given the increasing number of businesses requiring grid connections in the region.
Educational and Economic Impact
Beyond its environmental benefits, the project aims to foster new knowledge and skills in renewable hydrogen production. Ørsted plans to collaborate with local educational institutions like HZ University of Applied Sciences and Scalda to share insights and offer internships. This collaboration is expected to spur further innovations and research in the field, thereby accelerating the energy transition. Pedro Roggeveen emphasized that the Just Transition Fund’s subsidy is vital for advancing sustainable energy and contributing to a green economy.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
Ørsted’s vision is a world entirely powered by green energy. The €10 million grant from the Just Transition Fund is a significant step toward realizing this vision. By enhancing the infrastructure for renewable hydrogen in Zeeland, Ørsted is not only supporting industrial and transport decarbonization but also setting a precedent for future projects worldwide. As Roggeveen noted, the integration of renewable hydrogen into various sectors is essential for achieving a sustainable economy.