There is some real progress on green hydrogen

Green hydrogen is fast becoming a hot area

After the EU Commission published its hydrogen strategy in 2020 and called for targets of 6GW of installed electrolysing capacity by 2024 and 40GW by 2030, there appears to have been progress (read more projects) in Northern Europe. The Netherlands and Germany have set their own national targets, and a number of new projects have also been reported in Belgium, Denmark and Finland. Naturally leading energy companies have been leading the pack, with BP, Shell, Gasunie and Engie spearheading the effort in blue and green hydrogen.

Proximity to ports and a history of trading in natural gas are key factors in blue hydrogen projects

In the Netherlands Eemshaven, Port of Rotterdam and Port of Amsterdam concentrate a number of projects given their location and logistical advantages and the existence of natural gas plants located nearby. The Netherlands plans 3-4 GW in installed capacity by 2030.

While in Germany the agenda is resolutely green

In Germany projects are meant to be exclusively green hydrogen as part of its decision to phase out its nuclear power plants and replace nuclear energy with green sources. Germany plans to install 5GW in electrolysis capacity by 2030 and double it by 2035. Greenish intentions aside it remains that Germany depends heavily on coal (coal plants are heavy polluters) for its energy production.

Large green projects are coming on stream

In a press release dated 23 June 2022 Siemens Energy and Air Liquide have announced the creation of a joint venture dedicated to the production of industrial scale renewable hydrogen electrolyzers in Europe. Production is expected to begin in the second half of 2023 and be raised to an annual production capacity of 3 gigawatts by 2025.

Keywords: green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, EU Commission, energy companies, BP, Shell, Gasunie, Engie, natural gas, coal plants, installed capacity, electrolysis, nuclear power plants, Siemens Energy, Air Liquide