Amsterdam hosts “Policies for People and Places” spotlight on green-hydrogen imports and the role of H2A
Amsterdam, 13 November 2025
Over two days the “Policies for People and Places” gathering convened regional policymakers, industry leaders, research institutions and energy-sector stakeholders in Amsterdam, bringing together European perspectives on sustainable value chains, social economy, and urban regeneration.
One of the standout themes of the event was the growing importance of hydrogen and, in that context, the presentation from H2A provided insight into how the Netherlands is preparing to become a major entry point for green hydrogen into Northwest Europe.
H2A presentation: Amsterdam as a hydrogen gateway
During the workshop on “European Value Chains: Keys to Success”, the session titled “Hydrogen powering the future” highlighted how import-based hydrogen supply chains are rapidly becoming a strategic priority for regions across Europe.
Representatives from H2A laid out the vision for Amsterdam as a green-hydrogen hub, not only through infrastructure and port capacities, but first and foremost through partnerships, coordination and policy alignment. The presentation emphasised how H2A brings together international hydrogen producers, logistics and infrastructure actors, local industry, and public authorities, creating a platform for cooperation, investment, and long-term value chains.
As part of the workshop’s study-visit programme, participants got a close look at how the Port of Amsterdam and its stakeholders are preparing for hydrogen imports, storage, and onward distribution, reinforcing the Netherlands’ strategic position in the emerging European hydrogen landscape.
Why this matters: hydrogen as a backbone for Europe’s clean transition
With rising European demand for renewable hydrogen and limited domestic production capacity, import–driven supply chains are becoming indispensable. H2A’s mission aligns with this reality: the initiative aims to ensure that Amsterdam, with its deep-sea port, strong logistics and energy infrastructure, and access to industrial and transportation networks, becomes a trusted gateway for green hydrogen flowing into Northwest Europe.
By facilitating cooperation between producers, technology providers, infrastructure owners and policymakers, H2A helps lay the groundwork for a robust hydrogen value chain, one that can support decarbonisation of industry, mobility, and energy systems across the region.
A broader agenda: from policy to practice
The “Policies for People and Places” event is part of Interreg Europe’s Policy Learning Platform, which aims to foster sustainable, inclusive, and smart regional development across Europe.
By placing hydrogen at the centre of discussions on European value chains, the event underscored how energy transition and ecological sustainability are increasingly seen not just as technical challenges but as opportunities for regional economic resilience, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.
For H2A, this makes the timing and audience ideal: the initiative’s coalition-building orientation and ambition to position Amsterdam as a hydrogen hub resonated strongly with city-, regional- and EU-level policy goals.
What’s next
With growing political and industry momentum, both in the Netherlands and at European level, the role of green hydrogen imports is likely to rise significantly in the coming years. Initiatives like H2A, which combine strategic vision, partnership building, and infrastructure-oriented positioning, will be key to turning plans into reality.
For stakeholders across Europe, producers, investors, public authorities, technology providers, the message is clear: Amsterdam is positioning itself as a gateway for the clean-energy future.