Eemshaven – The government has pledged significant financial support to four large-scale projects for the production of green hydrogen in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe.
The lion’s share of the allocation, amounting to 125 million euros, goes to RWE. The energy company will build an electrolyser, also known as a hydrogen factory, on the site of the coal/biomass power plant in Eemshaven. With a capacity of 50 megawatts, the electrolyser will produce green hydrogen using electricity from the nearby Westereems wind farm, which is also owned by RWE.
Marinus Tabak, director at RWE, calls the award of the subsidy “excellent news” and emphasizes its crucial importance for the project. The final investment decision is expected at the end of 2024, depending on the timely connection of the hydrogen plant to Gasunie’s network, which is currently being constructed. RWE indicates that construction and environmental permits have already been obtained and that discussions are ongoing with potential customers. The electrolyser is expected to be operational in 2027.
The project, called Eemshydrogen, is considered an important milestone in the development of the hydrogen economy in Groningen, with the municipality of Eemsdelta at its center. It is one of four concrete plans for electrolysers in the region, including the initiative of the Zeeland company VoltH2. This company also has plans to build a 50 megawatt electrolyser in Delfzijl.
