Hydrogen
In the energy transition, we are moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, and hydrogen is one of these new energy carriers. For our region, the availability of green hydrogen as an energy source is important for industry. There are also many entrepreneurs developing innovations with hydrogen, such as electrolysers, battery systems or hydrogen-powered propulsion. And there is a lot of knowledge in this field at our knowledge institutions. We are working towards the availability of hydrogen, with stable price for purchase by institutions and entrepreneurs. We are working on strengthening the position of entrepreneurs who develop innovations with hydrogen and on strengthening the position of knowledge institutions in the field of hydrogen.
Activities
This is a long-term initiative consisting of several programmes, with the following activities planned by 2025, among others:
- Follow-up to the exploratory mission to Morocco, which took place in 2024. Representatives from government, entrepreneurs, knowledge institutes and organisations in the energy sector from the Arnhem-Nijmegen region and border region Germany took part in this international mission. This first meeting with the main parties in Morocco focused on further knowledge exchange on hydrogen and exploring possible cooperation between Moroccan and Dutch authorities, companies and knowledge institutions. Leading here is the "Offre du Maroc", the Moroccan government's recently launched offer to investors to further develop the hydrogen sector by making land, infrastructure and incentives available and producing green hydrogen. The aim of this international mission was to connect entrepreneurs and knowledge institutions to a major project in Morocco to produce green hydrogen. And our region needs green hydrogen in the coming years to decarbonise industry in Gelderland.
- In cooperation with Oost NL, strategic board Stedendriehoek and Twenteboard, work is being done to develop a Hydrogen Valley: Hy East Valley. The project is currently being developed so that a grant application can be submitted to the EU in April 2025.
- Hydrogen backbone: Gasunie is developing a national hydrogen transport network. In the East Netherlands, many parties are working together, from regional economic boards and VNO-NCW to governments, to make it clear that a tributary to the East Netherlands is essential. The aim is to realise a side branch of the hydrogen backbone in the East Netherlands in the coming years. To this end, we continuously bring the regional vision and interests to the attention of the national government. Making it clear that a side branch is essential for the East Netherlands and our region.
Expected result
This is a long-term initiative with several programmes. The concrete results we now foresee for 2025 are:
- Follow-up exploratory mission Morocco: deliver and start execution of plan to further shape this cooperation between governments, companies and knowledge institutions.
- Hydrogen Valley - project developed, grant application submitted to EU in April 2025.
- Further developed (inter)national cooperation with the aim of improving our position on hydrogen.
Role of The Economic Board
Connector and booster
