North Holland awarded European Hydrogen Valley of the Year 2023
This week, the Hydrogen Hub Noord-Holland was awarded the title European Hydrogen Valley of the Year 2023 in Brussels. Ingrid Post, Program Director of the North Sea Canal Area Energy Transition, accepted the award on behalf of the Dutch province. Last year, the award went to Hydrogen Valley Northern Netherlands region. New Energy Coalition is involved in both hubs as a (lead) partner.
Hydrogen Hub Noord-Holland wins prizes
Hydrogen Valley status is a European award for regions that are making a distinctive contribution to developing an energy system based on sustainable hydrogen. Globally, there are 84 regions with Hydrogen Valley status, and in Europe, 60 regions hold it. The European Hydrogen Valley of the Year award, now in its sixth year, provides an additional incentive for project beneficiaries to bring research and innovation to market. Hydrogen Hub Noord-Holland is a partnership between a large number of partners, including the Province of Noord-Holland, the North Sea Canal Area, the Noord-Holland Development Company, and various municipalities, grid operators, and private parties.
International award
This recognition underscores the efforts of both public and private partners to make Hydrogen Hub Noord-Holland a success story and thus occupy a leading position in the hydrogen transition within Northwest Europe.
- Ingrid Post, Program Director Energy Transition North Sea Canal Area North Holland
Hydrogen Valley Noord-Holland Noord
Earlier this year in May, the Hydrogen hub Noord-Holland already received the European status 'Hydrogen Valley' This is the European award for regions that are making a distinctive effort to develop an energy system based on sustainable hydrogen. The region is even designated as a "best practice" in the areas of "public-private partnerships" and "financing." New Energy Coalition is one of the architects of the status application. Noord-Holland Noord has been an important work area for New Energy Coalition for many years.
North Holland hydrogen ambition
North Holland is strongly committed to developing hydrogen as a promising alternative to coal, natural gas, and diesel. This commitment to hydrogen is a crucial step towards achieving climate neutrality and reducing CO2 emissions. The benefits extend beyond just cleaner air; hydrogen also reduces particulate matter and nitrogen emissions, contributing to a healthier living environment. Moreover, this commitment stimulates the economy and creates new jobs in the province.
The port areas of North Holland serve as essential hydrogen hubs for the import, storage, transit, and export of sustainable hydrogen. Amsterdam, as Europe's fourth-largest port, is shifting its focus from fossil fuels to green hydrogen and synthetic kerosene for aviation and shipping. The port of Den Helder, thanks to its strategic location, can also play a key role in the large-scale import of green hydrogen from the North Sea or neighboring countries. The strategic locations of the ports in the North Sea Canal Area and Den Helder make these regions crucial in the hydrogen transition for North Holland, the Netherlands, and Northwest Europe.
