Gasunie and Vopak to jointly develop hydrogen import terminal infrastructure

The two companies signed a co-operation agreement, building on their experience working together on the Gate LNG Terminal in the Port of Rotterdam and their plans to develop the ACE green ammonia terminal in Rotterdam. The aim of the latest agreement is to ensure infrastructure is in place to facilitate the import of hydrogen into Northwest Europe via ports in Germany and the Netherlands.

The first hydrogen import streams are expected by 2025, the companies said, to top up hydrogen production within Europe.

The scope of the agreement covers green ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carriers and liquid hydrogen imports. Storage infrastructure will be developed to allow onward distribution by various modes of transport.

Vopak and Gasunie said they will maintain their position as independent infrastructure operators with open access assets. “Open access logistics infrastructure that is available to all market parties is most effective, both from a cost and environmental footprint perspective. It can further accelerate the import and use of green energy to a wide range of end markets,” said the companies.

Ulco Vermeulen, Director Business Development Gasunie: “Our joint goal is to enable the international hydrogen value chain by providing the necessary import infrastructure. As a renewable energy infrastructure company, we already function as a linking pin for the energy transition in various public private partnerships in the Netherlands. With this agreement, Vopak and Gasunie can play a role in the transport, storage and import as part of the international hydrogen value chain.”

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