The Netherlands is striving for climate neutrality by 2050, aligning with European climate objectives. Green hydrogen is pivotal to achieving this goal, prompting the government to establish targets outlined in the Climate Agreement: achieving an electrolysis capacity of 3-4 gigawatts by 2030, subsequently revised to 8 gigawatts by 2032. To foster the production and utilization of renewable hydrogen, the Dutch government has introduced various subsidies and financing avenues, including the Upscaling Fully Renewable Hydrogen Production via Electrolysis (OWE) scheme, which RWE has successfully accessed.
Sopna Sury, COO Hydrogen at RWE Generation, expressed enthusiasm over the funding, emphasizing its significance in ensuring the economic viability of the Eemshaven project and propelling the hydrogen market expansion in Groningen and beyond. The clean hydrogen produced at the Eemshaven site is anticipated to reduce carbon emissions in industrial sectors across North-Western Europe, including transportation and chemical manufacturing.
RWE aims to make a financial investment decision (FID) for Eemshydrogen by the close of 2024, contingent upon timely infrastructure connections, such as the national hydrogen backbone, facilitating the distribution of green hydrogen to the market. Environmental and building permits for Eemshydrogen have been obtained, with discussions underway with potential off-takers. Equipment suppliers and construction contractors will be engaged post-FID, with the Eemshydrogen plant slated for operation in 2027.
Green hydrogen constitutes a key element of RWE's investment strategy, with plans to allocate 55 billion euros toward expanding its green portfolio to 65 gigawatts globally by 2030. This includes the construction of two gigawatts of electrolysis capacity in core markets by 2030. RWE is involved across the hydrogen value chain, developing, constructing, and operating electrolysers, and engaging in import partnerships where conducive regulatory environments and market potential exist.
Collaborating with partners, RWE is spearheading over 30 hydrogen projects worldwide, particularly in North-Western Europe and North America. In the UK, proposals are underway to establish a green hydrogen production facility adjacent to the Pembroke Power Station. In Germany, permissions have been granted for the construction and operation of electrolysers at the RWE gas-fired power plant site in Lingen. In the Netherlands, RWE is exploring additional opportunities to deploy electrolysers, particularly in regions like Rotterdam and Zeeland.
