The company revealed today (July 6) that its planned Holland Hydrogen I project, which is set to boast a 200MW electrolyser will go ahead, with hopes of the plant being operational in 2025.

Set to be constructed on the Tweede Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, renewable electricity from the offshore wind farm Hollandase Kust (noord), which Shell partially owns, will power the electrolyser.

H2 View understands the hydrogen produced is set to supply the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park in Rotterdam, through the HyTransPort pipeline, where it will replace ‘some’ of the grey hydrogen usage in the refinery.

It is hoped the clean hydrogen will partially decarbonise the refinery’s production some products such as petrol, diesel, and jet fuel. Shell have also noted the potential for hydrogen to be used directly as transport fuel, as refuelling infrastructure and hydrogen-powered vehicle uptake increases.

Anna Mascolo, Executive Vice-President of Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell, said, “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.

“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.”

In 2021, Shell Gas & Power Developments announced it had partnered with Uniper Hydrogen to accelerate the development of a hydrogen economy in Europe, having identified Germany and the Netherlands as key locations.

Read more: Shell, Uniper to accelerate hydrogen development in Europe

Holland Hydrogen I marks an important milestone in the company’s ambitions of helping to build a global hydrogen economy, Shell has said.