Netherlands awards €500 million to RWE for 100MW green hydrogen plant

With an objective to step up the renewable energy in the country, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has granted RWE a funding of EUR 551 million for its 100-MW electrolysis project near the Magnum Power Station in Eemshaven in the north of the country. This has been awarded as part of the Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition Incentive Scheme run by the Dutch government.

Sopna Sury, COO for Hydrogen at RWE Generation, said, “It is fantastic to have secured government funding so soon after also obtaining the necessary permits. Both milestones are critical steps towards realising of the OranjeWind Electrolyser project. Once operational, it will help advance the decarbonisation of industry in the Netherlands.”

RWE plans to power the electrolyser with green electricity generated by the OranjeWind offshore windfarm, which the company is currently building together with its joint venture partner TotalEnergies. Last October, the OranjeWind Electrolyser project received approval for construction and environmental permits.

The next project phases include Front End Engineering and Design, identification of construction partners and secure offtake before a financial investment decision for the OranjeWind electrolyser can be taken.

Hydrogen at RWE

Green hydrogen is a fundamental component of RWE’s investment strategy. The group is involved in all stages of the hydrogen value chain. Where regulation, support schemes, and sales potential are appropriate, the company develops, constructs, and operates electrolysers and enters import partnerships. Alongside its partners, RWE is driving hydrogen projects worldwide. In the Netherlands, RWE is developing opportunities to build electrolysers to supply green hydrogen in areas such as Rotterdam and Zeeland.

The Netherlands government wants to develop at least 4 GW of green hydrogen production capacity by the end of this decade. Some of the important projects include 200 MW Holland Hydrogen I facility at the Maasvlakte being developed by Shell’s and 80,000 metric tons per year plant that would be developed by Mitsubishi in Rotterdam.