26 January 2023 - Arcadis, a leading global design and consultancy organization for natural and built assets, is working on plans for the rollout of a high-pressure hydrogen network in the Netherlands, on behalf of Gasunie subsidiary Hynetwork Services.
The announcement follows a decision by the Dutch Government in June 2022 to invest over EUR 750 million to develop a national hydrogen network across the Netherlands. This project forms an important part of plans for a national network of pipelines connecting the five major industrial areas in the Netherlands – Noord, IJmond, Rijnmond, Zeeland and Limburg - with the hydrogen storage facility in Zuidwending and neighboring countries. To roll out the network, efforts are being made to reuse existing natural gas pipelines wherever possible. It is estimated that about 85% of the hydrogen network will consist of recycled natural gas pipelines. Where this is not possible, new construction will be used.
The new infrastructure needs to be carefully integrated with the rest of the network. As part of its remit, Arcadis is investigating environmental effects and will be producing a detailed environmental impact report to help inform the decision-making process. This will include ecological and archaeological studies, as well as the consideration of other factors such as health and safety. Preparatory works are already underway, and it is anticipated that the project will take two to three years for completion.
Peter Oosterveer, Chief Executive Officer, Arcadis said: “With the impact of the climate crisis accelerating, the supply of clean, safe and secure energy across Europe is more important than ever. The sector plays a crucial role in providing the solutions we need to limit global warming to 1.5°C, critical to our clients and communities alike. Projects such as this are vital when it comes to addressing climate change, and we continue to see great opportunities to strengthen, scale and grow our energy transition solutions to clients not only in the Netherlands, but across our global operations.”
Niels Schallenberg, Resilience Director for Arcadis in the Netherlands, added: “The start of the hydrogen network in the Netherlands is an important step towards achieving a carbon neutral energy supply in the future. By reusing existing infrastructure as much as possible, the impact on the environment remains limited. This hydrogen network is a relevant part of the energy transition for industry, and we are proud to be working with Gasunie on this crucial project.”
