The provinces of Drenthe and Groningen and the German State of Lower Saxony will soon start a cross-border partnership on the development of hydrogen projects. The matter was discussed in detail on March 16th, when deputies Melissa van Hoorn (Groningen) and Tjisse Stelpstra (Drenthe) paid a visit to the Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development of Lower Saxony, Birgit Honé.
Stelpstra and van Hoorn have observed that the three regions are quite similar because of the proximity to the sea, the potential for large-scale hydrogen production, storage in salt caverns, large industrial clusters and innovative companies; thus, it makes sense for them to work together. Honé elaborated further: “Together we can become Europe’s first cross-border Hydrogen Valley.”
The idea is to link existing hydrogen projects on both sides of the border, making use of a new EU funding programme, the EU Clean Hydrogen Partnership. The projects involved – HEAVENN in the Northern Netherlands and the H2 Region Emsland and ‘HyWays for Future’ in Germany – range from the production of green hydrogen and transport and storage to use in industry, for mobility and the built environment.
The goal of the cooperation is to accelerate the energy transition and gain independence from foreign energy imports.
Under the EU Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the budget available will be 121 million euro.
