Advancing cross-border collaboration on hydrogen in the Benelux and neighbouring regions in Germany and France

WaterstofNet together with the Benelux Secretariat organised the Benelux Hydrogen Conference on 12 July at the Benelux House in Brussels. The Conference centred around the Benelux hydrogen study that WaterstofNet conducted on behalf of the Benelux Secretariat and the Benelux Hydrogen Working Europe. It was an official moment in which the study was handed over by Benelux Secretary-General Frans Weekers and Deputy Secretary-General Michel-Etienne Tilemans to Belgian Minister Tinne Van der Straeten, Vice-President Région Grand Est François Werner and representatives of the Benelux countries and the neighbouring regions in France and Germany.

After a warm welcome by Frans Weekers and the opening by the Netherlands Ambassador to Belgium, Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan, Samira Farahani presented the outcomes of the study focusing on the areas for cross-border collaboration and the role that the Benelux Union and the regional authorities can play in facilitating such collaborations. Further cross-border challenges were once more addressed by sectorial industry pitches, and four cross-border projects were presented as an example of taking steps towards addressing such challenges (including Green Octopus, and LiHyP project). In two panels in the afternoon, the industry panel with representatives from the hydrogen value chain (industry, mobility, ports, TSOs) and policy panel with representatives from national and regional authorities, the possible steps were proposed to be taken to further facilitating and accelerating the formation of an integrated hydrogen market in the regions. The conference was concluded with a networking drinks.

Samira Farahani: “The study and the conference have clearly shown that cross-border collaboration is a vital piece for further development of an integrated hydrogen market in the Benelux and its neighbouring regions. As was rightfully said by Jan Molema in his final concluding remarks at the conference, waiting is no more an option. Together with stakeholders along the entire value chain across all regions and countries, we can set the example for the rest of Europe on how cross-border collaborations can elevate and accelerate the development of cross-border hydrogen ecosystems.”

 Watch the event summary here.