Dutch State Joins PosHYdon Offshore Hydrogen Project Through EBN

The Dutch state, through Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN), is stepping in as an active partner in the PosHYdon project, marking a crucial step forward in the development of large-scale green hydrogen production at sea.

The pilot, set to produce green hydrogen on an operational gas platform, is poised to integrate three offshore energy systems for the first time, propelling the energy transition in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe.

EBN’s active participation in the consortium, already a 40% partner in the Q13a-A platform where the pilot will be conducted, underscores the strategic involvement of the Dutch government to safeguard public interest in advancing green hydrogen initiatives. The pilot is deemed essential for the future development of large-scale offshore hydrogen production.

PosHYdon, nearing its final phase, plans to test the setup on land at InVesta in May 2024, with the first hydrogen production on Neptune Energy’s platform scheduled for the second half of 2024. The project aims to learn critical lessons, with approximately 80% of insights dedicated to offshore green hydrogen production, making it a cornerstone for a seamless transition to large-scale production.

PosHYdon is a trailblazing project that integrates three energy systems in the North Sea: offshore wind, offshore gas, and offshore hydrogen. Hosted on Neptune Energy’s Q13a-A platform, the project showcases the potential of fully green electrification in the Dutch North Sea, approximately 13 kilometers off the coast of Scheveningen.

The produced green hydrogen will be blended with gas and transported to the coast via existing gas pipelines, highlighting the synergy between renewable and conventional energy infrastructure. Notably, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has adjusted blending specifications, increasing hydrogen blending from 0.02% to 0.5%.

The PosHYdon consortium comprises key players in the industry, including Nel Hydrogen, InVesta, Hatenboer, Iv-Offshore & Energy, Emerson Automation Solutions, Nexstep, TNO, Neptune Energy, Gasunie, Noordgastransport, NOGAT, DEME Offshore, TAQA, Eneco, and EBN. The project aligns with ambitious Esbjerg goals for 2050, setting the stage for a sustainable energy future in the region.

As the PosHYdon project advances, it stands as a testament to collaborative efforts, pushing the boundaries of offshore green hydrogen production and contributing significantly to the realization of clean energy ambitions in the Netherlands and beyond.