Minister Sophie Hermans Visits Innovative Hydrogen Project in Drenthe
Nieuw-Buinen, Monday, 20 October 2025.
On October 15, Minister Sophie Hermans visited a pioneering project converting solar energy into green hydrogen, aiming to reduce grid congestion and promote sustainable mobility in the Netherlands.
A Pioneering Initiative in Green Energy
On October 15, 2025, Minister Sophie Hermans, the Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth, visited the Vloeivelden Hollandia solar park in Nieuw-Buinen. This visit highlighted a groundbreaking hydrogen project spearheaded by Novar, in collaboration with Avitec and various local governments, focusing on converting solar energy directly into green hydrogen. This innovative approach is set to address grid congestion and foster sustainable mobility, reinforcing the Netherlands’ commitment to a fully integrated green hydrogen chain from production to application [1][2].
The Mechanism Behind H2 Hollandia
The H2 Hollandia project stands out due to its integration of a large-scale solar park with an electrolyzer system. The solar park generates green energy that is partially directed towards an electrolyzer, which then produces green hydrogen without placing additional strain on the electricity grid. This green hydrogen is transported to a nearby hydrogen refueling station, H2 Drive, located approximately 5 kilometers from the production site, facilitating its use in heavy transport and other applications [1][3][5].
Significance and Future Prospects
The achievement of financial close for the H2 Hollandia project marks a significant milestone in the scale-up of green hydrogen production in the Netherlands. By 2026, the project is expected to become the largest operational green hydrogen initiative in the country, with a projected annual production of approximately 300,000 kilograms of green hydrogen. This endeavor underscores the strategic importance of hydrogen in advancing the energy transition and enhancing regional energy security [2][4].
Ministerial Endorsement and Strategic Goals
Minister Sophie Hermans’ visit underscores the Dutch government’s support for innovative energy solutions. During her visit, she expressed strong interest and appreciation for the pioneering efforts of the project’s initiators. The minister emphasized the project’s potential to contribute significantly to the national energy transition goals, aiming to create a sustainable future by integrating renewable energy sources into everyday applications [1][3].