Fluxys intends to construct a hydrogen and CO2 pipeline network. This might represent a new stride in the hydrogen economy and a decrease in CO2 emissions for firms in the Ghent region of North Sea Port.
Fluxys held an instructive market consultation in January 2021 for possible customers and industrial stakeholders of the future hydrogen and CO2 network. The data collected provided Fluxys, which manages Belgium’s natural gas network, with a clear picture of how market needs might change regionally and over time.
Following that, on December 15, Fluxys issued an invitation to industrial partners to indicate their interest in a link to open-access hydrogen and/or CO2 infrastructure. According to Fluxys, this is the next phase in constructing new pipes and reusing current infrastructure. Fluxys will be able to assure effective transport of both hydrogen and CO2 by mid-2026 in this fashion.
North Sea Port is collaborating with infrastructure and energy firms to build a pipeline network for hydrogen and CO2 transportation throughout the cross-border port region. This urge for enterprises in the Ghent section of the port region to link to this future infrastructure is entirely consistent with this.
After all, North Sea Port aspires to be a center in the European hydrogen network and to be carbon neutral by 2050 as a port. This market study is also a crucial step toward North Sea Port’s goal of achieving at least 500 MW of large-scale green hydrogen production and infrastructure by 2025.
“As a North Sea Port, we are looking forward to these developments in hydrogen and CO2 infrastructure.” This opens up various options for the production, transportation, and storage of hydrogen in the future, as well as the collection and storage of CO2 to minimize emissions. As a result, we are assuming our role in bringing port and infrastructure firms together,” says Daan Schalck, CEO of North Sea Port.
Fluxys’ entry into the market is in accordance with the Belgian government’s hydrogen plan, which was unveiled in October 2021. Fluxys recommends that the required infrastructure be developed at the level of industrial clusters, with links made between these clusters and with adjacent countries, to make Belgium an import and transit center in a pan-European hydrogen transportation grid.