North Holland awarded with Hydrogen Valley status and joins EU sustainability program
North Holland making recognisable strides in sustainable hydrogen development
The region’s proactive efforts to develop a sustainable energy system based on hydrogen have earned the Hydrogen Valley status. This status officially ushers the region into the European sustainability program, joining 60 regions and projects across Europe. The application to obtain the status was submitted by the province of North Holland in cooperation with programmabureau Noordzeekanaal, New Energy Coalition and Ontwikkelingsbedrijf Noord-Holland Noord.
Hydrogen contributes to meeting the climate goals as well as providing cleaner air for residents, making it a greener alternative for all. The initiatives pioneered in North Holland focus on both large- and small-scale applications in local projects and green hydrogen-based value chains in steel production, manufacturing, synthetic fuels, mobility and agriculture.
Amsterdam Area keeps focus on renewable energy
The Amsterdam Area is a key player in North Holland's renewable energy landscape as one of three major seaports (IJmuiden, Amsterdam, and Den Helder), assuming a crucial role in facilitating the import, transport, and storage of renewable energy.
Supported by Schiphol Airport, waterways, rail and pipe connections, and integration into the national hydrogen network, the region excels in local energy consumption and the distribution of renewable energy to neighbouring regions and countries.
North Holland also hosts Europe's largest hydrogen research facility (TNO's Faraday Lab) and houses an innovation and knowledge cluster focused on energy transition, including Techport, Investa, and right in the heart of the Amsterdam Area, Amsterdam Science Park and the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam.
New opportunities for becoming an acceleration region
As part of the European sustainability program, the North Holland region is on track to become an acceleration region in the European transition to hydrogen. With better access to knowledge and financing from Europe, the province’s efforts to make a more sustainable energy supply will be scaled up.