The JDA plans for the commercial-scale import of renewable liquid hydrogen to Europe from 2029. It was signed by 11 parties, including Oman’s national green hydrogen company Hydrom and integrated energy company OQ as well as Tata Steel Nederland, German logistics and transportation company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik, and Hynetwork, a subsidiary of Dutch natural gas infrastructure and transportation company Gasunie.

The plan is to integrate technologies for the liquefaction, transport, storage and distribution of liquid hydrogen, bringing together all the critical links for a hydrogen supply chain.

The JDA comprises several key components. First, the development of a centralised liquefaction, storage and export facility at the port of Duqm, which is one of the hubs for Omani-produced green hydrogen. Second, discussions will be held on the pricing and delivery of liquid hydrogen to offtakers located in the broader Amsterdam area, as well as offtakers located elsewhere in the Netherlands and Germany, with energy company EnBW as the aggregator. Finally comes aligned development of dedicated infrastructure throughout the corridor, including export and import facilities in the ports of Duqm, Amsterdam and Duisburg. The multimodal distribution of gaseous and liquid hydrogen will primarily focus on gas pipeline networks, rail connections and barge distribution, leveraging the Netherlands’ extensive canal network.

‘This agreement represents a landmark moment in our commitment to clean energy,’ said Sophie Hermans, the Dutch Minister for Climate and Green Growth, at the signing. ‘By linking Omani green hydrogen with Europe’s energy needs, we are advancing our shared climate goals and creating a sustainable energy pathway.’

Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, HE Eng Salim Nasser Al Aufi, added: ‘This partnership reflects Oman’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global green hydrogen economy, while strengthening ties with Europe to support its sustainable clean energy transition.’

The Port of Amsterdam’s four-year strategy and 2040 vision – ‘Green Port Amsterdam’, a port of destination for clean shipping, circular industry and renewable energy – were submitted to Amsterdam City Council in early April 2024.

Green hydrogen to help decarbonise petchem operations in Antwerp

Meanwhile, TotalEnergies reports that green hydrogen will play a key role in accelerating the decarbonisation of its Antwerp petrochemical operations in Belgium. As part of a 200 MW Air Liquide electrolyser project, TotalEnergies has signed a tolling agreement for 130 MW of its capacity dedicated to the annual production of 15,000 tonnes of green hydrogen for its Antwerp platform. The green electricity will be supplied by the OranjeWind offshore wind project. Scheduled for the end of 2027, the project is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions at the Antwerp site by up to 150,000 t/y.

There are also plans to produce 50,000 t/y of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) via coprocessing at the Antwerp platform in 2025. Coprocessing is a SAF production method that enables the simultaneous treatment of hydrocarbons and biomass in a conventional refining unit.

The company also reports that process electrification and battery-based energy storage will help decarbonise its operations at Antwerp, while also helping to balance Belgian and European high-voltage transmission grids by offsetting the intermittency of renewable energies. With a power rating of 25 MW and capacity of 75 MWh, the battery storage system in Antwerp is TotalEnergies’ biggest in Europe. It was commissioned last year.

‘By adapting and investing regularly in our Antwerp site, we’re securing its long-term future and ensuring that this integrated refining and petrochemicals platform remains TotalEnergies’ most efficient in Europe,’ says Ann Veraverbeke, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Antwerp.