Shell And Tennet Sign Deal For First Large-scale Hydrogen Plant On The High-voltage Grid

Shell And Tennet Sign Deal For First Large-scale Hydrogen Plant On The High-voltage Grid

Shell and TenneT have signed a landmark connection and transport agreement for linking the first large-scale hydrogen plant to the high-voltage grid in the Netherlands. Known as the Holland Hydrogen 1, Shell’s 200-megawatt (MW) electrolyzer will be established on the Maasvlakte, marking a significant step toward green energy solutions in Europe.

Initially, the electrolyzer will be connected to the high-voltage Maasvlakte 380 kV station through a temporary link. Once the new high-voltage station at Amaliahaven 380 kV is operational, Shell will secure a full and permanent connection to the grid. This arrangement ensures that Shell’s ambitious timeline for a hydrogen-powered future remains on track.

The Holland Hydrogen 1 project stands out as a monumental initiative in the European renewable energy sector. As the first of its kind, the plant will harness the power of renewable energy to produce green hydrogen, directly supporting the operations of Shell’s Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam (Pernis). The plant, located behind the coastal dunes of the Maasvlakte, will also be connected via a dedicated hydrogen pipeline to the Port of Rotterdam, symbolizing a strong commitment to sustainable industry practices in the region.

However, due to space constraints at existing high-voltage stations, TenneT plans to build a brand-new 380 kV high-voltage station in the Amaliahaven area on the Tweede Maasvlakte. Expected to be completed by the end of 2026, this station will enable Shell’s hydrogen plant to transition from a temporary connection at Maasvlakte to a fully-fledged and definitive connection. This strategic move showcases TenneT’s adaptability and the company’s willingness to offer creative solutions to meet urgent industry needs.

The signing ceremony for the agreement took place on Friday, September 20, with key figures from each organization in attendance. Frans Everts, President-Director of Shell Netherlands, and Maarten Abbenhuis, COO of TenneT, sealed the deal under the watchful eye of Boudewijn Siemons, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam.

Maarten Abbenhuis emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating,

“Because space is becoming available on this temporary connection, we can facilitate Shell’s hydrogen plant now.

Through good cooperation with Shell and the Port of Rotterdam, we’ve managed to find this solution. It’s a prime example of a smart and unconventional way to connect parties, even with the limited space available on the grid.”

Frans Everts from Shell underlined the broader impact of this move on the energy transition:

“With green hydrogen, electrification, and capturing and storing CO2, we can make the Dutch industry more sustainable.

This collaboration with TenneT demonstrates that the energy transition is indeed a team sport. Together, we can accelerate the necessary shift toward cleaner energy.”

Boudewijn Siemons, representing the Port of Rotterdam, highlighted the importance of the industrial cluster’s strength, saying,

“The power of the industrial cluster in our port is that companies make necessary steps in the energy transition possible by working creatively and intelligently together, thereby strengthening the cluster as a whole. This agreement between TenneT and Shell is a great example of that.”

This agreement marks a crucial milestone in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future, setting the tone for other industries to follow suit in the green hydrogen revolution.

READ the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Hydrogen Central

Shell And Tennet Sign Deal For First Large-scale Hydrogen Plant On The High-voltage Grid, source