Perspectives

Alice Krekt

Programme Director of the Deltalinqs Climate Program

1. Why is the H-vision project so important for industry in the port of Rotterdam?

Our industry needs to significantly cut back its greenhouse gas emissions in the short term. H-vision’s hydrogen presents an excellent solution for the swift, large-scale reduction of CO_² emissions. A push in the right direction for our joint climate goals. H-vision follows a unique procedure in this context. Its primary base material for producing hydrogen is residual gases from industry. This enables H-vision to supply the large volumes of hydrogen needed by this sector to manufacture products and generate electric power.

2. How does the project contribute to the challenging targets set out in Rotterdam’s Climate Agreement?

Over the course of four years, the signatories to Rotterdam’s Climate Agreement want to reverse the current trend in CO₂ emissions: from an annual increase to a pronounced decrease. Hydrogen plays a vital role in this process. The H-vision project has the potential to become an international showcase for Rotterdam. The challenge lies in aligning the interests of the collaborating parties with those of the government. This venture may seem simple enough in technical terms, but due to the interaction of different elements: hydrogen plants, infrastructure for refinery gas, the project’s circular character and its trailblazing role in the utilisation of hydrogen, H-vision is both complex and highly innovative. By realising this plan, we can both strengthen the Dutch economy and make substantial advances in sustainability. Rotterdam wants to become a major hydrogen hub – this will help it fulfil this role more effectively.

3. What do you consider the project’s biggest success so far?

That we have brought together such a large group of players within this project. They offer their support and contribute their knowledge and expertise. A smaller group of partners is also prepared to invest in the program. We work together to realise common objectives, looking beyond the boundaries of individual companies. And by now, H-vision can count on support from a variety of corners: from the Dutch government, the Municipality of Rotterdam,  the Province of South Holland, the European Commission and various knowledge institutes. So far, however, regulations  have lagged because there is still no  support for the use of low-carbon hydrogen as a fuel. This is an obvious gap in the currently available policy instruments, and this situation needs to be clarified as soon as possible

Alice Krekt