Shell to build renewable hydrogen plant in Netherlands

Shell Plc. revealed on Wednesday this week that it will start the construction of its renewable hydrogen plant in the Netherlands. The British oil and gas company headquartered in London, England, said that once completed and operational in 2025, it will become the largest in Europe.

As per Reuters, Shell said that its 200-megawatt electrolyzer has been named Holland Hydrogen I, and it will soon rise in the port of Rotterdam. It is expected to produce up to 60,000 kilograms of renewable hydrogen every day.

The company further said that part of its goal is to become a net zero greenhouse gas emissions organization by the year 2050. To achieve this, it has been augmenting its low-carbon output as it slowly moves away from oil and gas.

The oil firm added that it would like to produce hydrogen at the new plant in the Netherlands by using electricity generated from the offshore wind park, Hollandse Kust Noord. The park is partly owned by Shell Plc.

“Holland Hydrogen I demonstrates how new energy solutions can work together to meet society’s need for cleaner energy,” Shell’s executive vice president, emerging solutions, Anna Mascolo, said in a press release. “It is also another example of Shell’s own efforts and commitment to become a net-zero emissions business by 2050.”

She added, “Renewable hydrogen will play a pivotal role in the energy system of the future and this project is an important step in helping hydrogen fulfill that potential.”

CNBC reported that Shell’s new renewable hydrogen plant also represents the latest attempt of various companies to lay down a marker in this business sector. In fact, just last month, BP, another oil and gas major company, shared it agreed to buy a 40.5% equity stake in the Asian Renewable Energy Hub with the same aim of becoming “one of the largest renewables and green hydrogen hubs in the world.”

Meanwhile, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen is very important in keeping emissions under control but it will just account for five percent of the global final energy mix by 2050. This falls short of what is required to meet the climate goals. Shell’s intention is to help create a global hydrogen economy through the development of opportunities in the production, transport, storage, and shipment of hydrogen to customers and contribute to clean and green efforts at the same time.