Starter motor accelerates development of regional hydrogen network in East Groningen

With the project Starter motor They are working on the realization of a local system for the production, transport, and use of green hydrogen between Veendam and Oude Pekela. This gives concrete substance to the ambition to structurally reduce CO₂ emissions and make the regional energy supply future-proof.

The collaboration consists of three industrial customers, Nedmag, Solidus, and Strating; two producers of green hydrogen, Eurus Energy and Resilient Hydrogen; and grid operator Enexis. By signing a letter of intent, these parties have committed to working together on the development of a regional hydrogen network. The Startmotor forms an important part of the first phase of the report in this regard. Towards a first regional industrial hydrogen cluster around East Groningen, drawn up by New Energy Coalition, which describes how the region can gradually develop into a robust hydrogen system for industry.

From planning to execution

While many hydrogen initiatives are still in the research phase, the Startmotor focuses explicitly on realization. The green hydrogen is produced at Nedmag in Veendam and supplied via a distribution network to Solidus and Strating in Oude Pekela. Nedmag also acts as a customer itself.

A key principle of the project is the blending of hydrogen into the existing natural gas installations of the participating companies. This approach makes it possible to transition to more sustainable energy sources in phases, while technical adjustments and investments remain manageable. At the same time, the system offers hydrogen producers the flexibility to immediately utilize sustainably generated energy when solar and wind power are available, thereby limiting the need for large-scale storage and keeping costs manageable.

Complex challenge for regional industry

The East Groningen Industrial Cluster, like other industrial regions, faces a major transition challenge. Three interconnected challenges play a central role in this:

• Infrastructure: how is sustainable energy made available in the right place?
• Varying energy needs: not every production process can easily electrify or switch entirely to hydrogen.
• Costs: infrastructure and the purchase of hydrogen make government support necessary.

Need for appropriate support

For many industrial companies currently using natural gas, existing hydrogen schemes are still of limited accessibility. Current policy focuses primarily on large industrial clusters and the replacement of existing grey hydrogen flows. However, companies such as Nedmag, Solidus, and Strating operate in international markets, meaning they can only pass on the additional costs of sustainability to their customers to a limited extent.

The partners involved therefore emphasize the importance of additional regional and national support to actually realize and scale up projects such as the Startmotor.

Towards a regional hydrogen cluster

The Startmotor is seen as a first, concrete step towards a broader regional hydrogen network. In the longer term, this network can be connected to infrastructure in Eemshaven and Delfzijl and link up with the national hydrogen supply, with Groningen as a strategic hub.

Moreover, Nedmag's production sites are located a short distance from Zuidwending, a location that can play an important role in the future energy infrastructure of Noord-Nederland.

Working together on a sustainable industry

Within the project, work is currently underway on technical designs, business cases, and the necessary infrastructure. A preferred route for the hydrogen pipeline has also been determined. Coordination regarding this route is taking place with the municipalities of Veendam and Pekela, the Province of Groningen, safety regions, and environmental services.

With the Startmotor, the participating companies demonstrate that the energy transition in the region is not only about developing a vision, but above all about taking concrete steps towards a sustainable and competitive industry.