High energy prices hinder hydrogen ambition – Netherlands.
Clean hydrogen can play an important role in the European Union to achieve the ambitious climate plans, but the necessary conditions are lacking. This is stated by the NLHydrogen trade association, together with German and Belgian colleagues. The problem is mainly the high electricity prices in the three countries and a lack of infrastructure, according to acting director of the Dutch trade association Jacqueline Vaessen.
The Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have the largest industry collection in Europe. 30 percent of European industrial production comes from there. This also applies to 40 percent of European hydrogen consumption.
Vaessen, said:
At the moment this is all gray hydrogen based on natural gas, but in the future we want this to be completely green.
Expensive energy
A lot still needs to be done to achieve this. In addition to bureaucratic difficulties, the main problem is that Dutch, German and Belgian electricity prices are higher than in the rest of Europe, says Vaessen. At the end of April, the so-called European Hydrogen Bank auctioned more than 700 million euros for seven hydrogen projects in Europe. The money was awarded through a bidding process.
The big winners were countries in Southern and Northern Europe. “There is a lot of cheap solar energy in the South and a lot of cheap energy from hydropower in the Norwegian countries,” is how Vaessen explains the event. In the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium there is also renewable energy from sun and wind, but this is more expensive.
Infrastructure
There is not yet an infrastructure to bring hydrogen from Southern and Northern European countries to the Netherlands, for example, in order to still gain access to the hydrogen. The European Union must work hard for this, Vaessen believes.
The trade association is also concerned about the four-year delay in the construction of the Delta Rhine Corridor. This infrastructure must realize the transport of green hydrogen from the port of Rotterdam to the hinterland and, if postponed, will probably be ready in 2032.
Sophie Hermans (VVD) is the new Minister of Climate and Green Growth and the point of contact for the trade organization. “We haven’t spoken to her yet, but she has been invited for a working visit so that we can show what we are up against,” says Vaessen.
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High energy prices hinder hydrogen ambition – Netherlands. source
