Hydrogen of Dutch Origin (H2DO) has officially kicked off the TSE-funded “Offshore Midsized Green Hydrogen Feasibility and Concept Study”, a 30–50 MW offshore green hydrogen concept in the Dutch North Sea. The project, entirely aligned with the ambitions of the Hamburg Declaration, will demonstrate how offshore hydrogen production can unlock more offshore wind while reinforcing Europe’s strategic energy autonomy.

With rapidly growing wind capacity in the North Sea, the Dutch grid increasingly suffers from congestion and bottlenecks in bringing all electrons to shore. By producing green hydrogen directly offshore, close to the wind farms, electrons are converted into green molecules at sea, easing the load and the surging costs on the electricity grid and enabling transport via (existing) pipeline infrastructure which can result in material energy system savings. At the same time, this approach reduces pressure on scarce onshore space – a 1 GW hydrogen plant can be comparable to around 29 football fields – and lowers the demand for increasingly scarce freshwater for electrolysis.

The study also responds to rising energy security concerns. Domestically produced green hydrogen from North Sea wind can help reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and vulnerable supply chains, contributing to Europe’s long-term self-sufficiency in line with The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies “No Fuel, No Fight” message on fuel security.

The TSE-funded study has the objective to:

• Deliver a robust, FEED entry-ready concept design for a 30–50 MW offshore green hydrogen installation, including export of hydrogen via a pipeline to shore.

• Optimise the overall system using proven technology elements.

• Bring the overall project to a maturity level (i.e. technical, commercial, regulatory & permitting) that enables a direct move into the next phase, preparation for a follow‑on demonstrator (ambition: operational in 2031).

To ensure decision-making as “investment-ready” as possible, the project scope during this phase includes work on: permit-ability in the Dutch and European regulatory context; alignment with future circularity, reuse and resilience requirements; spatial planning and co‑use of scarce North Sea space, including Mariparken; RFNBO requirements so the hydrogen counts towards RED III targets; and marketability and commercial structuring options, such as long‑term offtake and risk allocation. Another goal is to compare the business case for offshore produced green hydrogen with onshore green hydrogen production combined with expensive HVDC systems.

To realize these ambitions, H2DO works with a strong group of partners tasked with delivering core scopes, amongst others: H2sea, Haskoning, TCI Risk Management and ECHT Regie in Transitie; and with the support of Smulders HSM and other parties with an interest in advancing the offshore green hydrogen value chain. Together, these partners cover the full chain from technical and marine infrastructure development to certification, regulatory, commercial and market design expertise.

“It’s great to see that all core partners in this study are now on board. This study is a concrete step to make the ambitions of the Hamburg Declaration real at midsized scale: unlocking more offshore wind, reducing spatial and water pressure on land, and building a resilient, European hydrogen value chain. With this group of partners, we are laying the groundwork here in the Netherlands for projects that can move straight into FEED and be replicated and scaled across the North Sea. By taking green hydrogen production offshore and close to the wind source, we turn a grid challenge into an energy security opportunity,” says H2DO’s managing partner Patrice Hijsterborg on behalf of the team.

The Offshore Midsized Green Hydrogen Feasibility and Concept Study is made possible through funding under the Topsector Energie (TSE) programme. Hydrogen of Dutch Origin and its partners warmly thank the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and GroenvermogenNL for their trust and financial support.