The Netherlands is moving forward with plans for the development of the world’s largest offshore hydrogen production project. The Dutch Ministry for Climate and Energy Policy has announced the site selection working from existing plans for offshore wind farm development and the existing natural gas pipeline.

The project would be the first in which hydrogen production at sea is carried out on a large scale. The siteHydrogen will be produced offshore next to the Gemini wind farm. Source: Gemini selected is the Ten noorden van de Waddeneilanden Wind Farm Zone located 30 nautical miles off the north coast of the Netherlands in the North Sea and adjacent to the existing 500 MW Gemini Wind Farm.

The facility will have the capacity to deliver 500 MW of electrolysis capacity for green hydrogen production and is expected to become operational in 2031. Hydrogen will be transported to land by using an existing natural gas pipeline.

The venture will provide valuable experience with this new technology, which is expected to play a major role in the Dutch energy system. This initiative will follow on the heels of a smaller pilot currently under development with an electrolysis capacity of approximately 50 MW to 100 MW.