Twelve farming families in Netterden, Netherlands, are collaborating with Kuster Energy to establish a green hydrogen production plant under the name H2 Achterhoek. This initiative aims to convert renewable energy from their existing wind and solar farms into green hydrogen. The project has secured a €10 million subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) through the Subsidy Program for Large-Scale Production of Fully Renewable Hydrogen via Electrolysis (OWE). This funding is crucial for covering the significant costs of construction, grid connection, certification, and initial operations, especially given the early-stage revenue from hydrogen production.
The H2 Achterhoek project is strategically positioned near Windpark Den Tol, which features nine 3.675 MW wind turbines, and a 16 MWp solar park, optimizing the use of renewable energy sources. As one of eleven Dutch projects selected for the second round of OWE subsidies, H2 Achterhoek underscores the Netherlands' commitment to advancing green hydrogen. The project is projected to produce approximately 500,000 kilograms of hydrogen annually, sufficient to power 85 public transport buses for over 6 million emission-free kilometers each year. Additionally, the facility will help mitigate regional grid congestion by converting surplus renewable energy into hydrogen during peak generation times. Kuster Energy will manage the distribution of this green hydrogen to customers across eastern Netherlands, serving sectors such as transportation, construction, and regional infrastructure, thereby supporting the nation's climate targets and fostering a sustainable energy future.