Shell recently announced it has reached a final investment decision to build a 200MW electrolyser which will be constructed on the Tweede Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam.  Producing up to 60 tH2/day, this will make the plant, due to be operational by 2025, the largest renewable hydrogen plant in Europe.

Renewable power for the electrolyser will come from the Hollandse Kust (noord) offshore wind farm, which is partly owned by Shell.

The renewable hydrogen produced will supply the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam, by way of the HyTransPort  pipeline, where it will replace some of the existing hydrogen usage in the refinery. This will partially decarbonise the facility’s production of energy products like petrol and diesel and jet fuel. As heavy-duty trucks are coming to market and refuelling networks grow, renewable hydrogen supply can also be directed toward these to help in decarbonising commercial road transport. As well as this local connection, the Hytransport pipeline is also planned to connect to Chemelot in Limburg, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany and other European regions.

HyTransport Pipeline

“Holland Hydrogen I demonstrates how new energy solutions can work together to meet society’s need for cleaner energy. It is also another example of Shell’s own efforts and commitment to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050,” said Anna Mascolo, Executive Vice President, Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell. “Renewable hydrogen will play a pivotal role in the energy system of the future and this project is an important step in helping hydrogen fulfil that potential.”

The project forms one of initiatives relating to the Port of Rotterdam, where the Port Authority is working with various partners towards the introduction of a large-scale hydrogen network across the port complex, making Rotterdam an international hub for hydrogen production, import, application and transport to other countries in Northwest Europe.