Rotterdam Welcomes Hydrogen Manufacturing Industry
The Dutch Hydrogen Delta consortium has presented a proposal to Members of Parliament Bontenbal (CDA), Boucke (D66), and Erkens (VVD) aimed at jumpstarting the manufacturing industry for electrolysers and, in turn, speeding up the growth of the hydrogen economy.
The proposal, developed by 12 partners of the Dutch Hydrogen Delta, is seeking approximately 80 million euros in funding from the National Growth Fund to implement the plan. Its aim is to enhance the Netherlands' self-reliance by enabling domestic production of the plants required for generating green hydrogen.
De Nederlandse Waterstof Delta plans to manufacture 1 gigawatt of plants annually starting in 2026, which would account for half of the total plants required for the Netherlands to meet its interim climate goals by 2030.
These plants will operate using a distinctive Dutch hydrogen battery called Battolyser, developed at TU Delft. This technology can store electricity and generate green hydrogen from renewable energy sources. The system can produce hydrogen during periods of abundant wind and solar power and supply electricity to the grid when there is a shortage of electricity due to low wind and solar power.
De Nederlandse Waterstof Delta has set a target of achieving an annual production capacity of 1 GW of Battolysers in the Merwe-Vierhaven (M4H) area by 2026. The Port of Rotterdam Authority has emphasised that the manufacturing industry is a vital component that is currently missing from the Dutch hydrogen economy. While factories producing green hydrogen are being constructed in places like Maasvlakte, the necessary equipment is not yet manufactured within the Netherlands.
The Growth Fund subsidy application will not only be used to scale up suppliers and conduct research for the manufacturing industry but it will also be allocated for the development of an H2 Innovation Hub. The Merwe-Vierhaven area will house this cluster, which will offer a platform for companies, start-ups, scale-ups, investors, researchers, and government officials to collaborate, exchange ideas, and establish partnerships. Additionally, technical courses will be offered within this new cluster.
The proposal was presented to three MPs who have been advocating for the acceleration of the hydrogen economy, with a specific focus on the manufacturing industry required to achieve the goals.
The plan, particularly the production site, will create appealing job opportunities, increase the sustainability of the economy, and enhance the earning capacity of the Netherlands. Furthermore, it will ensure that the country has its own resources to achieve its climate objectives, reducing reliance on technology from countries such as China and Russia to promote a more sustainable economy.
This initiative is part of the Port of Rotterdam Authority and the municipality's wider regeneration of the M4H area, similar to the development of the RDM site, to transform the Rotterdam Makers District into a dynamic hub of sustainable manufacturing.
The De Nederlandse Waterstof Delta consortium consists of Battolyser Systems, Port of Rotterdam Authority, Platform Zero, Didak, Agfa Gevaert, Madern International, VSPARTICLE, Demcon, Delft University of Technology, Techniek College Rotterdam, Hogeschool Rotterdam, and InnovationQuarter. Together, the consortium partners are responsible for developing and manufacturing the critical components for the electrolyser, scaling up production, and creating an ecosystem that includes essential facilities and training personnel.
Source: Port of Rotterdam
