Lhyfe to build Netherlands green hydrogen plant

The 200MW facility at the Delfzijl chemical cluster, in the Groningen province, will be capable of producing more than 20,000 tons of renewable green hydrogen per year. That is the equivalent of 55 tons per day, displacing 2.2m tons of CO2 within ten years.

Lhyfe recently launched its UK operation, based in North East England, with the aim of large-scale decarbonisation. The France-based multinational said it has already secured the required plot of land and renewable energy connections in the Netherlands, planning to have the plant commissioned as early as 2026.

Delfzijl is home to a significant industrial and chemical industry and already uses large quantities of hydrogen in manufacturing processes, with demand expected to grow. 

Lhyfe aims to support companies in their decarbonisation efforts by supplying them with renewable green hydrogen using renewable electricity from the region in the electrolysis process. 

The Netherlands aims to be one of Europe’s pioneering countries in green hydrogen, with the roll-out of a national pipeline to supply industrial clusters. This ‘hydrogen backbone’ will be based on the soon to be abandoned Groningen gas grid.

Old salt caverns will be converted to store hydrogen along the backbone, securing a steady flow of green hydrogen to the industrial users when renewable energy is not available.

Lhyfe launches offshore green hydrogen pilot site

“Delfzijl is an ideal location for renewable green hydrogen production as it has direct access to renewable energies from its offshore wind power plants which are situated off the coast,” said Luc Grare, head of Central and Eastern Europe at Lhyfe.

“Groningen is one of Europe’s pioneers when it comes to the energy transition. The region’s goal is to become the leading hydrogen valley of North-Western Europe and to build up a complete value chain from production, storage and transportation of green hydrogen.”

Renewable green hydrogen as an energy carrier will support the transport of offshore generated energy through the country and help to ease an already congested electricity grid, Grare added.

“As such, Lhyfe’s Delfzijl plant will be able to supply green hydrogen throughout the Netherlands as well as to potential off-takers in Germany and other bordering countries.”

Lhyfe is targeting a total installed capacity of 3GW by 2030 through establishing regional hydrogen hubs through various plant sizes throughout Europe. It has also launched the world’s first offshore renewable green hydrogen production plant in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The Delfzijl project is subject to obtaining required operation licences and building permission as well as a financial investment decision.