Gasunie and Fluxys join forces for a cross-border Dutch – Belgian hydrogen network connection in North Sea Port.
Gasunie and Fluxys are working on the development of national hydrogen networks in the Netherlands and Belgium respectively.
These networks will be interconnected in the North Sea Port area, which stretches from Ghent to Vlissingen and Terneuzen. In the future, the Dutch-Belgian connection will supply hydrogen to companies in the 60-kilometre-long port area. Gasunie, Fluxys and North Sea Port made agreements.
Cross-border hydrogen network
In close cooperation with industry, Fluxys and Gasunie are preparing the construction of a hydrogen network on both sides of the border. All interested companies can connect to the network. The aim is to have the networks operational in 2026 and then to connect them at the border.
The connection between the two hydrogen networks will create one of the first cross-border hydrogen networks in Europe. The connection between the two hydrogen networks will be in Sas van Gent in the Netherlands and Zelzate in Belgium, where natural gas already flows between the two countries.
Connecting supply and demand
The cross-border connection will make an important contribution to the development of the entire hydrogen chain in the port area – from the supply of hydrogen via production and import to storage and consumption by industry.
And it offers companies access to a large hinterland, other industrial clusters and ports in Europe. This ties in with the ambitions of Europe, the Netherlands and Belgium to be climate-neutral by 2050.
Helmie Botter, Manager Business Development Hydrogen at Gasunie, said:
Gasunie is busy developing a national hydrogen network. Connections to neighbouring countries are crucial in this regard.
“This will enable the hydrogen market to reach maturity and will help to ensure security of supply in north-western Europe.”
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Gasunie and Fluxys join forces for a Dutch-Belgian hydrogen network connection in North Sea Port, May 17, 2022
