Shell to build Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plant

The 200MW electrolyser will be constructed on the Tweede Maasvlakte in the port of Rotterdam and will produce up to 60,000kg of renewable hydrogen per day once operational in 2025. The renewable power for the electrolyser will come from the Hollandse Kust (noord) offshore wind farm, which is part-owned by Shell.

The renewable hydrogen will supply the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park Rotterdam via the HyTransPort pipeline - a new hydrogen pipeline through the Port of Rotterdam - where it will replace a portion of the grey hydrogen used in the refinery, partially decarbonising the facility’s production of products including petrol and diesel and jet fuel.

“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,” said Anna Mascolo, executive vice president, Emerging Energy Solutions at Shell. “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.”

Commenting on Shell’s investment, David Hall, VP Power Systems UK & Ireland, Schneider Electric said: “The ongoing climate crisis coupled with the mounting pressure for Europe to find new supplies of fuel, has meant that sourcing new and green energy alternatives has never been more urgent. Green hydrogen, unlike grey, blue, or yellow hydrogen is one of the most efficient methods of electrification and therefore has an important part to play in the global energy transition. 

“However, green hydrogen is not without its hurdles to be overcome to reap the full benefits. Cost, policy, and safety are core considerations before wider scale rollout can occur. Yet, Europe will be a sweet spot to accelerate the use of green hydrogen with its favourable geography, infrastructure, and capabilities – providing an opportunity to demonstrate global leadership in low-carbon hydrogen.

“For the industry to achieve efficient green hydrogen production, it must recognise the essential role digitalisation will play in changing the status quo. The challenges in the scaled production of green hydrogen can be addressed largely by using new digital technologies available today.”