VoltH2 starts development site for green hydrogen in Delfzijl

Delfzijl/Bergen-op-Zoom, June 2, 2022 - Green hydrogen developer VoltH2 is launching a third site, this time in Delfzijl. With its 50 MW green hydrogen plant, VoltH2 will further strengthen Groningen Seaports' hydrogen cluster and contribute to the necessary acceleration of the energy transition of industry in East Groningen.

VoltH2 continues its expansion in the Dutch hydrogen market. After two hydrogen plants in Zeeland, a first and essential step is now being taken for a site in the far north of the country. VoltH2 and Groningen Seaports concluded an agreement for the use of a three-hectare site.

Large hydrogen demand

With various green hydrogen projects, Groningen Seaports is profiling itself as one of the hydrogen hubs of the Netherlands. The first talks with VoltH2 date back to November 2021. André Jurres, Managing Director of VoltH2, explains, "We are fully exploring the European market and have taken the first step ourselves. It happened very quickly, thanks in part to the proactive attitude of Groningen Seaports. We now have a site in Delfzijl, on the outside of the port. The location is logistically very interesting: we are close to an arterial road with TeNNeT's high-voltage substation on one side and a water treatment plant on the other that could eventually take one of our residual products - oxygen. And there are a lot of companies in and around this port with a large hydrogen requirement."

Samenwerkende Bedrijven Eemsdelta (SBE), accounting for over a hundred companies, embraces the advent of green hydrogen. Industry uses the hydrogen as a green feedstock. Local production helps existing companies become more sustainable and makes the region attractive to new companies. A similar sound can be heard at the IndustrieCluster Oost Groningen, which unites seven manufacturing companies in the Veendam region. In time, they would like to connect to the backbone of Hynetwork Services, Gasunie's hydrogen infrastructure branch. CO₂ emissions could also be reduced earlier by mixing green hydrogen with natural gas, for example for heat processes of these production companies. Direct deliveries via a pipeline between VoltH2 and the East Groningen Industry Cluster are also being considered.

80 to 100 million

The plant will produce green hydrogen by electrolysis, using green electricity from wind power. But before that happens, of course, there is still a long way to go. André Jurres explains: "Now that the site has been secured, we are fully preparing our permit application. Groningen SeaPorts has invited all interested parties to an environment table. The permit application itself is scheduled for the end of 2022. This plant will require an investment of 80 to 100 million euros; we would like to complete its financing by mid-2023. If everything goes according to plan, we will begin construction in 2024."