As of now, 180 PJ of hydrogen is used in the Netherlands, as a semi-product in industries such as refineries or in fertilizer production. This is an amount equivalent to about 10% of the total (final) energy demand in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the second largest consumer and producer of hydrogen in the European Union, after Germany. This hydrogen is currently still made from natural gas. But in the coming years the industry will switch to sustainable hydrogen: low carbon, made from residual gases with CO² capture, or completely CO² free hydrogen from water (electrolysis) using electricity from the sun and wind.

Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as an emission-free, crucial energy carrier for making our energy supply more sustainable. Hydrogen can be used to store electricity generated from the sun and wind as well as to achieve higher powers and temperatures required in certain industrial processes. Especially promising is the use of hydrogen as a clean form of industrial energy, for instance to produce green steel. We expect most of the demand for hydrogen to come from industry in the coming years. In addition to industrial applications, hydrogen also has significant potential in the mobility sector. Think of hydrogen-powered (cargo) cars, as well as aviation and shipping. Hydrogen may also play a role in the built environment, particularly in residential areas where electrification is not possible.

The Committee on Use of Hydrogen regularly discusses the use of sustainable hydrogen in various sectors.

Contact:

Hydrogen refuelling locations: https://nlhydrogen.nl/tanklocaties/