Sustain and Accelerate

The electrolyzer capacity of 602 MW is three times that of the largest hydrogen plant currently under construction in the Netherlands. It is also enough to keep 5000 trucks running on hydrogen for a year. The companies receiving subsidies are gaining experience with the technology, permit procedures, and the arrangement of certificates for their sustainable hydrogen. This way, we aim to accelerate the development of sustainable hydrogen with subsidies.

Companies Receive Over € 700 Million in Subsidies

The companies are receiving a total of over € 700 million in subsidies from the second round of the Subsidy Scheme for Large-Scale Production of Fully Renewable Hydrogen via Electrolysis (OWE). This subsidy is for companies building an electrolyzer of 0.5 MW or more to produce sustainable hydrogen. These electrolyzers produce hydrogen using renewable electricity.

Subsidy Pot Not Completely Empty

In total, nearly € 1 billion in subsidies was available. Companies requested over € 3.2 billion in subsidies from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Applicants who do not receive subsidies could not sufficiently demonstrate that the hydrogen they produce is actually being used. Projects that are economically unfeasible and those that cannot be completed on time also do not receive subsidies.

Why This Subsidy?

The OWE subsidy reduces the cost difference between producing sustainable and fossil hydrogen for companies. This cost difference is also known as the unprofitable top. To determine who receives subsidies, RVO ranked the companies based on the requested subsidy per MW electrolyzer capacity. This creates competition among the projects, and the most cost-effective projects receive subsidies. The average subsidy amount for the 11 winning projects is € 1.78 million per MW electrolyzer capacity. The companies have until mid-2030 to complete their projects.