- Shell will build a 200 MW electrolyser at Maasvlakte, operational by end of 2024.
- The HyTransPortRTM pipeline will be 32 km long with a 24-inch diameter.
- Final investment decisions for the electrolyser and pipeline are expected in the first half of 2022.
- The pipeline will connect to national and international hydrogen networks.
Project Overview
Shell has signed an agreement to use the HyTransPortRTM hydrogen pipeline in the port of Rotterdam. This pipeline, developed by Gasunie in collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam Authority, will run from the Maasvlakte to Pernis, aiming to make the port's industry more sustainable by replacing fossil fuels with hydrogen.
Key Infrastructure
The HyTransPortRTM pipeline will span 32 kilometers and have a diameter of 24 inches (61 cm). It is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 or early 2025. The pipeline will eventually connect to both national and international hydrogen networks, facilitating the transport of hydrogen between producers, users, and suppliers.
Shell's Electrolyser
Shell plans to build a 200 MW electrolyser, named Holland Hydrogen I, at the Conversion Park on the Maasvlakte. This facility will produce green hydrogen using electricity from the Hollandse Kust (North) offshore wind farm. The final investment decision for this project is expected in the first half of 2022, with the electrolyser set to be operational by the end of 2024.
Impact on Sustainability
The switch to CO2-free hydrogen is anticipated to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, particularly in industrial processes where electrification is not feasible, such as high-temperature processes in the petrochemical industry. The hydrogen produced will serve as both an energy carrier and a raw material for chemical products.
Future Developments
The HyTransPortRTM pipeline is a crucial component of the sustainable hydrogen economy in the Netherlands and Northwest Europe. Plans are also underway for a conversion park on the Maasvlakte, where hydrogen can be produced for the port of Rotterdam. Various parties are developing initiatives for the import of green hydrogen, further enhancing the port's sustainability efforts.
