Gasunie (Groningen, the Netherlands) and the German transmission system operators Open Grid Europe and Thyssengas signed an agreement to jointly develop a cross‑border hydrogen connection between the Netherlands and Germany on Wednesday, 20 May. The two national hydrogen networks will be interconnected, making use wherever possible of existing natural gas pipelines that will be repurposed for hydrogen transport. The companies are aiming to realise the connection between Zevenaar and Elten around 2031. For Gasunie, this is the fourth agreement relating to cross‑border connections with Germany and Belgium.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister Stientje van Veldhoven of Climate and Green Growth during the Hydrogen Milestone Ceremony in Rotterdam, marking the completion of the first section of Gasunie’s Dutch hydrogen network. The signing underscores the shared ambition to develop large‑scale hydrogen infrastructure in North‑West Europe as an international system from the outset. The agreement was signed by Hans Coenen, COO of Gasunie, Thomas Hüwener, CEO of Open Grid Europe, and Dr. Stefanie Kesting, CEO of Thyssengas.
The Rhine-Ruhr region as a strategic demand centre
The Zevenaar-Elten border point is the strategic link connecting German industry and the chemical sector with hydrogen production, storage and import facilities in the Netherlands. According to the agreement, the first phase will focus on connecting the Rhine-Ruhr region, followed by the connection of southern locations such as Ludwigshafen. The delta Rhine Corridor plays a central role in this context, forming the Dutch route between the Port of Rotterdam an the German hinterland.
From ambition to implementation
The Hydrogen Milestone Ceremony, held during the week of the World Hydrogen Summit, highlighted that the energy transition is entering a new phase: from ambition to implementation. With the completion of the first section of the hydrogen network in Rotterdam and the agreements on cross‑border hydrogen corridors, the foundations are being laid for further national and European connections. A European hydrogen system is essential to strengthen energy security, decarbonise European industry and deliver a robust, future‑proof energy system.