Memorandum of Understanding to Advance the Hydrogen Economy in Europe

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was witnessed by Sophie Hermans, Dutch Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth. 

The MoU shall serve as a platform for closer collaboration in industry and research and shall support deepened bilateral dialogue and collaboration at a political level. Sophie Hermans, Dutch Minister for Climate Policy and Green Growth, was present at the signing ceremony.

“We are very pleased to have signed this MoU with the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum. Collaboration is essential to advancing hydrogen initiatives, especially within Europe. Norway, as an energy nation, has a unique opportunity to harness its renewable and natural gas resources to produce renewable and low-carbon hydrogen on a large scale. The Netherlands plays a pivotal role in establishing a European hydrogen market, with the industry setting ambitious targets to increase domestic electrolysis capacity and aiming to position the country as a central import and transit hub. Given the extensive industrial expertise and offshore technology experience in both countries, this collaboration is a natural step forward. Through this partnership, we look forward to advancing our shared efforts to reduce carbon emissions,” states Marcel Galjee, Chairman of NLHydrogen.

“Already, there is extensive collaboration between our respective members. Such collaboration is vital and must be intensified to unleash the full potential of hydrogen as an indispensable climate solution in hard-to-abate sectors, particularly in industry and shipping. By pooling the vast competences of Norwegian and Dutch industry and research, we may take another leap towards establishing corridors in the North Sea for transport of large volumes of hydrogen and hydrogen-fueled ships. However, there are still significant political and regulatory hurdles. That is why closer collaboration both at political level and between our two associations is so important. Hopefully, this MoU will further contribute to strengthening the European hydrogen market,” adds Ingebjørg Telnes Wilhelmsen, Secretary General of Norwegian Hydrogen Forum.

The two associations commit to supporting initiatives by national business promotion agencies, thereby sending a strong signal that collaboration between the two countries is vital in establishing hydrogen production, distribution and use at scale.