The Port of Amsterdam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ireland’s first green hydrogen company, EIH2, and the Port of Cork. This collaboration aims to create an import chain to the Port of Amsterdam for green hydrogen produced in Ireland.

The signing ceremony took place today, in the presence of Irish State Secretary Ossian Smyth (responsible for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy) and Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, Rob Jetten, both as official witnesses. The MoU was signed during a major offshore wind and hydrogen mission organised by the Dutch government in collaboration with Holland Home of Wind Energy. The aim of this mission is to increase cooperation between the Netherlands and Ireland in the field of energy transition.

Green Hydrogen

Ireland has great potential for offshore wind energy production. Earlier this year, the Irish government designated an additional two gigawatts of offshore wind capacity for the production of green hydrogen. This green hydrogen can then be exported to the Port of Amsterdam or further transported via the Port of Amsterdam to other destinations in Europe. The Port of Amsterdam, wants to encourage the import of green hydrogen and work with these parties to find additional, commercial partners who will play a key role in this project.

Net Zero Continent

This partnership is also in line with the commitment at European level to become the first Net Zero continent. Ireland and the Netherlands have a strong and historic (trade) relationship, and both countries see the development of production capacity and international distribution of green hydrogen as a strategic priority.

Pearse Flynn, founder of EIH2, commented: “Our goal at EIH2 is to help both Ireland and Europe achieve their ambitious energy goals. The recent RePowerEU plan quadruples the role of green hydrogen in Europe. This found its reflection in Ireland’s recent carbon budget, with an additional two gigawatts of offshore wind capacity specifically for green hydrogen production. This partnership is the start of a supply chain for green hydrogen from Ireland, where there is a lot of wind but not much demand for hydrogen, to Europe, where the situation is mirrored.”

Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer of Port of Cork Company, said, “At the Port of Cork Company, we see great opportunities for the Port of Cork to become a hub for renewable energy, which will benefit the environment, local businesses and lead to employment in the region. We intend to use our facilities in this strategic location, in collaboration with like-minded partners, to support the development of opportunities in renewable energy.

Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Port of Amsterdam‘s Director of Business Development Cargo, added, “The Port of Amsterdam is very pleased to sign this MoU with such valuable partners. It underlines both the strong ties between Ireland and our port and the growing importance of green hydrogen. Our priorities are to make green hydrogen accessible to the industrial clusters in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Region and to serve as an access point for the European hinterland, including regions with potentially high demand in Germany. Developments in the south of Ireland and the technical prowess of Irish parties, means the country is well positioned to export this new energy source in the future. The port of Amsterdam offers access to market demand for Irish green hydrogen, both in our own port, and in the rest of Europe.”