Equinor joins Europe’s NorthH2 green hydrogen project

Equinor has joined what is reported to be Europe’s biggest green hydrogen project – NorthH2.

The NorthH2 project aims to produce green hydrogen using renewable electricity from offshore wind off the coast of Netherlands. It was launched in February 2020, with Shell, Groningen Seaports Gasunie and the province of Groningen. Equinor joins RWE as a new partner to the project. The initiative will complete a feasibility study by 2021, with the aim to start project development activities in 2H2021.

The project will have a capacity of 1 GW in 2027, 4 GW by 2030 and 10+ GW by 2040 for electrolysis. This equates to 0.4mn tonnes of green hydrogen production in 2030 and 1mn tonnes green hydrogen production by 2040. This could abate 8–10mn tonnes of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the yearly emissions from road traffic in Norway, according to the project partners.

‘NorthH2 fits well with Equinor’s experience and position as a leading offshore wind operator. Hydrogen will add to the competitiveness of renewables in the years to come, by adding value and an alternative route to market for renewables. The development of viable large-scale clean hydrogen value chains will help meet the Paris Agreement targets,’ comments Pål Eitrheim, Executive Vice President New Energy Solutions in Equinor.

North-west Europe is well positioned to develop an integrated hydrogen value chain – from offshore wind development and renewable power generation to production, storage, transport and the sale of green hydrogen. The North Sea has a great potential for large-scale wind development, there is extensive existing natural gas infrastructure that is suitable for storage and large-scale transport of hydrogen, and there are large industrial clusters in the Netherlands and Germany as well as heavy-duty vehicle OEMs that could economically benefit from a ‘first mover’ advantage.

NorthH2 expands the energy transition agenda for Equinor by adding a significant green hydrogen value chain. This complements existing renewable and low-carbon projects like Dogger Bank (offshore wind), Northern Lights (CCS) and H2H Saltend (blue hydrogen).