9. Mai 2025
Veröffentlichungsreihe – 4 von 77 Insights
The Netherlands aspires to fully transition to sustainable energy sources by 2050. To facilitate this objective, one of the key pillars for the Dutch government is the adoption of green hydrogen for energy storage—also as part of the broader European strategy to enhance energy security and decarbonize industry. Already today, the Dutch industry produces and uses hydrogen on a large scale. Until now, this relates primarily to hydrogen derived from natural gas (so called grey hydrogen), And already now, The Netherlands is the second-largest hydrogen producer in Europe. In the coming years, grey hydrogen is planned to be replaced with cleaner alternatives, including blue hydrogen which is also produced from natural gas, but with the CO2 captured and stored underground and including green hydrogen which is produced via water electrolysis using sustainable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
Exciting and high-profile initiatives, such as Holland Hydrogen I and the planned national hydrogen backbone connecting hydrogen production facilities with offshore wind farms, showcase the Dutch commitment to making green hydrogen a cornerstone of the energy transition. However, we also note that the rollout of major green hydrogen production installations is still at an early stage. Against this background, the Dutch national target of 4 GW of electrolysis capacity by 2030, with an aspiration to reach 8 GW by 2032 is a challenge to reach.
The current Dutch regulatory landscape does not fully regulate the construction and operation of hydrogen transport networks, prompting policymakers to propose dedicated legal frameworks. In June 2024, the Energy Act (Energiewet) was adopted, which forms now the legal foundation for the energy transition and replace both the Electricity Act 1998 and the Gas Act. The act however only references hydrogen and does not provide a respedtive regulation. At the end of 2024, the Dutch Senate adopted the new Energy Act. This act merges the Electricity Act 1998 with the Gas Act and replaces them. The new act will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The government for now does support market development through, for example, production subsidies and by financing offshore hydrogen demonstration projects. Gasunie, as the national hydrogen network operator, publicly reported it will develop an offshore hydrogen network and manage storage and terminals. At the same time, the Dutch regulator Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) prepares third-party access guidelines to ensure fair market participation.
A key pillar of Dutch support for green hydrogen is the SDE++ subsidy scheme, which has been expanded to include a range of low-carbon technologies including electrolysis. Through SDE++, companies that build and use hydrogen power generation facilities may be eligible to receive subsidies that bridge the gap between the cost of producing hydrogen and its market price. The subsidy scheme for large-scale hydrogen production using an electrolyser is a combination of a subsidy for the investment phase and a subsidy for the operating phase. Given a successfull application, a subsidy for the investment costs for building the facility, and to produce hydrogen using this facility (i.e. the operation phase) is provided. However, the scheme’s allocation process is competitive, with periodic tender rounds that require thorough technical and financial documentation. The SDE++ subsidy scheme is reported to open again in October 2025.
The Netherlands is actively working on developing a publicly accessible hydrogen transport network, with a goal to connect the Dutch industrial clusters through this public infrastructure by 2030. However, the Netherlands is currently facing serious network congestion challenges on its electricity grid (cf. our insight here). Nonetheless, the Dutch remain committed to the hydrogen transition and keep exploring opportunities to accommodate frontrunners in the field. This is evidenced for example by a hydrogen project of Shell, Holland Hydrogen I, that was reportedly granted access to the grid despite the current electricity grid congestion challenges.
In June 2024, it was confirmed that Hynetwork Services (HNS), a Gasunie subsidiary, will develop and manage the national offshore hydrogen grid. HNS was already tasked with developing the national onshore hydrogen grid in mid-2022 and work began in 2023 as a service of general economic interest (SGEI).
Green hydrogen projects often rely on long-term offtake agreements with industrial clients or utilities seeking to decarbonize their processes. These agreements – in general – should also account for grid challenges and technology-specific risks, such as fluctuations in electrolyser efficiency, limiters or the (un)availability of renewable power. In addition, regulatory uncertainties (such as emerging hydrogen network tariffs) should be considered.
In addition, projects at scale typically involve multi-party consortia, combining expertise in financing, renewables, and infrastructure. Ensuring clear governance structures and allocating liability in case of regulatory changes or technical underperformance are key elements of lasting joint ventures.
The Netherlands is steadily advancing its green hydrogen ambitions, with major infrastructure projects and supportive policies underway. Developers can expect a more detailed legal framework and clearer grid access regulations in the near future. The rollout of the national hydrogen network in the upcoming years will open new opportunities for cross-border energy cooperation. Our proven experience in the hydrogen industry have shown us that, despite the current grid challenges, the Dutch proactive approach signals a promising outlook for the country’s green hydrogen economy.
15. May 2025
von mehreren Autoren
8. May 2025
von mehreren Autoren
17. April 2025
von mehreren Autoren
2. April 2025
von mehreren Autoren
31. March 2025
von Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
12. February 2025
10. March 2025
von Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel
26. February 2025
von mehreren Autoren
29. January 2025
von mehreren Autoren
28. November 2024
von Dr. Christian Ertel, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
11. November 2024
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
30. October 2024
von mehreren Autoren
18. September 2024
von mehreren Autoren
10. September 2024
von Tobias Baus, LL.M., Dipl.-Ing., Dr. Thomas Pattloch, LL.M.Eur
18. July 2024
von Dr. Patrick Vincent Zurheide, LL.M. (Aberdeen), Dr. Julia Wulff
11. July 2024
von mehreren Autoren
21. May 2024
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
18. March 2024
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
15. February 2024
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
16. January 2024
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
28. December 2023
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
20. December 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
17. November 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
21. December 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
16. October 2023
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
4. October 2023
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
29. September 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12. September 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
1. September 2023
von Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E, Alexander Schmalenberger, LL.B.
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
25. August 2023
von Dr. Julia Wulff
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
24. August 2023
von Dr. Niels L. Lange, LL.M. (Stellenbosch), Dr. Janina Pochhammer
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
18. August 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
9. August 2023
von Birte Zeitner
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
2. August 2023
von Birte Zeitner
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
26. July 2023
von Dr. Julia Wulff
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12. July 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
6. July 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
20. June 2023
von Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12. May 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
5. May 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
4. April 2023
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
10. March 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
31. January 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
27. January 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
17. January 2023
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
20. December 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
20. December 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
13. December 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
7. December 2022
von mehreren Autoren
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
29. November 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
26. August 2022
von Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
21. July 2022
von Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Christian Ertel
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
4. July 2022
von Dr. Paul Voigt, Lic. en Derecho, CIPP/E, Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham)
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
10. June 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
5. May 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
15. March 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
14. February 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
4. February 2022
von Dr. Markus Böhme, LL.M. (Nottingham), Dr. Stefan Horn, LL.B.
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
6. January 2022
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
2. December 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
21. September 2021
von Olav Nemling
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
18. August 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
12. July 2021
von Carsten Bartholl
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
8. June 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
25. May 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
29. March 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
23. March 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
9. March 2021
Power Play: Renewable Energy Update
21. January 2021
von mehreren Autoren