Netherlands Struggles with Hydrogen Transition Amid Bold Ambitions
Rotterdam, Wednesday, 9 July 2025.
The Netherlands faces challenges in implementing hydrogen for its energy transition. Despite ambitious goals, a gap emerges between expectations and practical realities in reducing carbon emissions.
Ambitions and Initial Steps in Hydrogen Transition
Five years ago, the Netherlands envisioned hydrogen as the linchpin for its energy transition, a sentiment echoed during recent reflections by industrial editor Milo van Bokkum at the Maasvlakte. However, despite these ambitious plans, progress remains incremental. The country’s energy transition strategies initially aimed for hydrogen to significantly reduce carbon emissions. Yet, real-world implementation has revealed a gap between theoretical potential and practical realization [1].
Current Infrastructure and Program Initiatives
One of the crucial steps taken towards fulfilling these aspirations was the establishment of the Nationale Waterstof Programma (NWP). The program’s goal was to facilitate the installation of 500 megawatts (MW) of electrolysis capacity by 2025, increasing to 3-4 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. This initiative aims to integrate hydrogen into various sectors, thus meeting the commitments made in the Climate Agreement [2]. However, infrastructural challenges, particularly in creating a reliable hydrogen network, pose significant barriers [3].
Infrastructural Challenges: The Crux of the Problem
The primary challenge faced by the Netherlands is to develop a robust and interconnected hydrogen infrastructure. Hynetwork, a subsidiary of Gasunie, is tasked with installing a national hydrogen pipeline network to connect industries domestically and with neighboring countries. As of 2023, construction began in Rotterdam, signifying an essential step in addressing infrastructural needs for the burgeoning hydrogen economy [3]. Despite these efforts, achieving comprehensive coverage still requires substantial time and financial investment [4].
Policy and Economic Motivators
The Dutch government has been proactive in crafting policies aimed at bolstering hydrogen demand. Recent announcements indicated expanded obligations and subsidies for renewable hydrogen in both mobility and industrial applications. This move is seen as a method to guarantee stable demand, thereby encouraging further investments in hydrogen technologies [5]. Moreover, financial incentives such as subsidies for research into hydrogen and green electrons have been initiated, with a recent funding call opening up €20.3 million in grants to support innovation [5].