ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Port of Rotterdam is accelerating efforts to become one of Europe's leading hydrogen hubs, combining hydrogen production, carbon capture infrastructure and industrial transformation to support the continent's energy transition and energy security, Port of Rotterdam Authority CEO Boudewijn Siemons said Tuesday.
Speaking alongside the World Hydrogen Summit and Exhibition in Rotterdam, Siemons said the port is developing a large-scale hydrogen ecosystem aimed at decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors including steel, chemicals, shipping and aviation.
The port is advancing both green hydrogen, produced using renewable electricity, and blue hydrogen, which uses methane combined with carbon capture technology.
Among the key projects is Shell's Holland Hydrogen 1, a 200-megawatt renewable hydrogen facility expected to begin ramping up production in 2027 and produce up to 60,000 kilograms of hydrogen per day.
Rotterdam is also developing the Porthos carbon capture and storage project, which will transport and store 37 million tonnes of CO2 from industrial companies in depleted gas fields beneath the North Sea.
Meanwhile, the first section of the Dutch hydrogen backbone network has been completed in the port area, including a 32-kilometer pipeline connecting hydrogen production sites with industrial clusters.
Siemons said hydrogen will play an important role not only in reducing emissions but also in strengthening Europe's energy security and strategic autonomy.
