Charting the Course: Willemien Terpstra’s Call to Action at the H2A Symposium

One of the most impactful moments at the 2025 H2A Symposium came with the keynote address from Willemien Terpstra, CEO and Chair of the Executive Board at Gasunie. Her remarks were preceded by a powerful video, showcasing the Netherlands as a global gateway for hydrogen, leveraging world-class ports, international partnerships, and repurposed infrastructure to lead Europe’s energy transition. 

The video set the stage for Willemien’s rallying call. Taking to the podium, she framed the hydrogen transition not as a technical project, but as a collective mission requiring courage, realism, and above all, action. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” she said, underscoring the need for deep cooperation between governments, infrastructure companies, and industrial leaders. 

Speaking with the clarity of both a seasoned executive and a sailor, she shared her own experiences navigating shifting winds at sea, Willemien painted a vivid picture of the energy transition as uncharted open waters. “We can’t control the weather,” she said, “but we can control how we respond.” Her message: don’t wait for perfect conditions. The time to build is now. 

Gasunie, she explained, is investing €12 billion through 2030, with two-thirds of that focused on sustainable gas infrastructure. Hydrogen, carbon capture, and renewable gases are not optional add-ons, but essential components of a secure, affordable, and competitive European energy system. 

Willemien warned that relying solely on electrification will not be enough, it’s too costly, too slow, and too narrow. “We must move from perfect plans to practical execution,” she stressed, arguing for a balanced, integrated approach where molecules and electrons work together to support both climate goals and industrial resilience. 

From green hydrogen to blue hydrogen as a bridge, from storage and transport to international import corridors, her keynote highlighted Gasunie’s comprehensive role in the hydrogen value chain. Importantly, she made the case for building infrastructure ahead of demand, a bold but necessary move to keep Europe’s industry anchored and thriving. 

Closing with a sailor’s conviction, Terpstra stated, “This is the new harbour we will all navigate toward, regardless of shifting winds.” With determination, pragmatism, and partnership, she urged the audience to turn shared ambition into shared action.