Benelux secretary general Frans Weekers hands over Benelux hydrogen study conducted by WaterstofNet to Dutch minister for climate and energy Rob Jetten
WaterstofNet conducted a Benelux hydrogen study on behalf of the Benelux Union. The study shows that the Benelux countries and six neighbouring regions - Hauts-de-France, Grand Est, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, Lower Saxony - occupy a very central and indispensable position in Europe in the field of hydrogen, both in the short (2030) and long term (2050).
Today, Benelux Secretary General, Frans Weekers, handed over the results of the study, to Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy, Rob Jetten.
In its REPowerEU strategy, the European Commission set a target of producing 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen in Europe and importing 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen by 2030.
To meet these targets, it is necessary to be able to estimate the market for hydrogen demand, production, infrastructure needs, storage facilities and imports. Moreover, policy measures must be taken quickly and regional cooperation must be strengthened.
The hydrogen study makes this clear for 2030 and 2050.
For instance, in 2030, within the European Union, the Benelux and the six neighbouring regions will represent the following:
- Import: 67% of hydrogen imports
- Production: 15% of hydrogen production
- Infrastructure: 24% of pipeline length
- Storage: 31% of storage needs and 26% of storage potential
- Industry: 41% of hydrogen demand for chemicals and 35% of hydrogen demand for steel
Adwin Martens: "As WaterstofNet, we have long stressed the importance of the Benelux for hydrogen. Not only is there a gigantic need for sustainable hydrogen in the Benelux area, but the Benelux is also home to a number of unique European hydrogen technology suppliers. A few years ago, for instance, we launched the H2Benelux European project to develop a number of hydrogen refuelling stations in the three countries. We also coordinate the WIC (Hydrogen Industry Cluster), the largest, ever-growing industrial network on hydrogen in the Benelux with more than 150 companies, showing the importance of cooperation at Benelux level. The final report clearly shows the crucial strategic position of the Benelux in hydrogen implementation in Europe. The results of this study encourage us as WaterstofNet to speed up the pace even further in facilitating cooperation around hydrogen at Benelux level and with neighbouring areas in Germany and France."
Download the study.
Read more about the study on the the Benelux Union website.