King Willem-Alexander and Minister Van Veldhoven open first section of the national hydrogen network
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His Majesty the King symbolically activated the first section of the national hydrogen network in Rotterdam on the afternoon of Wednesday, 20 May 2026. He was joined by Minister Stientje van Veldhoven of Climate Policy and Green Growth and Gasunie CEO Willemien Terpstra to mark the official completion of the first route in the Rotterdam port area: a 32-kilometre pipeline linking the Maasvlakte and Pernis. This represents a significant milestone in the development of Dutch and European hydrogen infrastructure.
The construction of the national hydrogen network commenced in October 2023. With the completion of this first route, hydrogen can now be transported from production locations on the Maasvlakte to industry. Over the coming years, the network will be further expanded to major industrial regions across the Netherlands and connected to storage locations and networks in Germany and Belgium.
Significant step towards a European energy system
The completion of the first section in Rotterdam marks a significant step in making industry more sustainable while maintaining its competitiveness. With the port of Rotterdam as a European energy hub and the strategic connection along the Delta Rhine Corridor, hydrogen and CO2 can be transported between the Netherlands and Germany. This infrastructure therefore constitutes an essential building block for an integrated European energy system. Within this system, hydrogen, CO2, natural gas, heat and wind energy will collectively strengthen the strategic autonomy and economic earning capacity of the Netherlands and Northwestern Europe.
Precondition for the hydrogen market and the sustainability of industry
The national hydrogen network will eventually extend over approximately 1,200 kilometres, largely using existing natural gas pipelines. The network therefore forms an essential precondition for the development of a well-functioning hydrogen market and for improving the sustainability of industry. The first hydrogen plant has now also been connected to the network. Additional production and import locations, as well as industrial clients are expected to be connected to the Rotterdam network in the coming years.