H2avennet Takes Next Step Towards Realisation of Regional Hydrogen Network in Amsterdam
One of the key moments of the 2026 H2A Symposium was the announcement that H2avennet has reached an important new milestone in the development of a regional hydrogen distribution network in the Port of Amsterdam.
During a signing ceremony at the symposium, the Port of Amsterdam and Firan formally confirmed their commitment to move forward with the project, marking what both organisations described as the “green light” for investment in H2avennet.
The announcement was made by Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Executive Director New Business at Port of Amsterdam, and Rob van der Horst, Director of Alliander Next Grid, in the presence of Sofyan Mbarki, Alderman of the Municipality of Amsterdam, Joris de Groot (CTO Alliander), and Gerda van der Landen (CFO Port of Amsterdam).
From Concept to Readiness
Since announcing their collaboration at last year’s H2A Symposium, the partners have worked on the detailed design of the regional hydrogen network and established a consortium bringing together potential suppliers, infrastructure partners and future hydrogen users.
According to Van der Horst, the detailed design of the network has now been completed, providing the technical and financial basis required to move towards implementation. The network has also been designed with future connections to both the national hydrogen backbone and neighbouring regional hydrogen infrastructure in mind.
Choosing the Chicken Over the Egg
One of the key questions facing the project was how to overcome the well-known “chicken-and-egg” challenge that has long slowed hydrogen development: should infrastructure wait for supply and demand, or should infrastructure be built first?
For the H2avennet partners, the answer was clear.
During the announcement, Van der Horst explained that they had decided to “put their money on the chicken.”
“Because, as you know, chickens produce multiple eggs, and an egg just produces one chicken.”
Behind the analogy lies a deliberate strategic choice. The partners believe that if hydrogen infrastructure is available and supply projects can connect to it, demand will follow. Throughout the symposium, speakers repeatedly pointed to infrastructure as one of the key conditions needed to unlock investment and accelerate market development.
As a result, the project will move forward once the first inflow participant commits to the network, ensuring the infrastructure is ready to support future hydrogen users across the Amsterdam port region.
A “Pressure Cooker” for Progress
Reflecting on the progress made over the past year, Nieuwenhuizen described the H2A Symposium as a yearly “pressure cooker” for projects and partnerships.
The annual event provides a clear milestone for organisations to demonstrate progress, move discussions forward and turn ambition into action. What began as a commitment announced at the 2025 symposium has now evolved into a concrete agreement that positions the project for realisation.
Building Green Port Amsterdam
The project represents an important step towards the development of Green Port Amsterdam and the wider hydrogen economy in the North Sea Canal Area.
Speaking after the signing, Alderman Sofyan Mbarki highlighted the importance of hydrogen infrastructure for the future of the city, while Joris de Groot emphasised the role hydrogen will play in addressing broader energy system challenges. Gerda van der Landen underlined the importance of both infrastructure and collaboration in building a functioning hydrogen value chain.
With the detailed design completed and the investment framework now agreed, H2avennet is positioned to move towards implementation as soon as the first large-scale hydrogen supply project commits to the network.
As Nieuwenhuizen concluded during the symposium: the partners are ready for realisation and ready to lay the first pieces of the puzzle needed to bring hydrogen molecules to Amsterdam.