Mapping the Hydrogen Future: North Holland’s Hydrogen Valley and the North Sea Region

The Hydrogen Valley in North Holland continues to take shape as a strategic hub for the emerging hydrogen economy bridging production, imports, distribution and use across industrial, transport and energy sectors. A refreshed interactive hydrogen map now provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of hydrogen projects across the region, illustrating how the North Sea Canal Area and adjacent regions are positioning themselves at the heart of Europe’s energy transition.

A Region Connecting Energy, Industry and Infrastructure
North Holland’s position as a European Hydrogen Valley reflects the region’s efforts to build a functional and integrated hydrogen ecosystem. With deep-water ports at Amsterdam, IJmuiden and Den Helder, proximity to large offshore wind resources in the North Sea, major industrial clusters and Schiphol Airport, the region combines the physical assets and industry presence needed for hydrogen to support both local decarbonisation and broader Northwest European energy supply chains.

The Hydrogen Valley map, developed with the support of the Province of North Holland, the North Sea Canal Area programme office (NZKG) and regional partners, visualises how projects from across the hydrogen value chain are interlinked. It shows where hydrogen production, import terminals, networks, storage, and end-use applications are emerging across the region, and highlights the role of the North Sea Canal Area as a focal point for infrastructure development.

North Sea Region: Strategic Gateway for Hydrogen Imports
The North Sea has become central to the region’s hydrogen ambitions. With ambitious offshore wind targets over the next decades, renewable electricity from the North Sea provides the foundation for future hydrogen production, whether generated offshore or brought onshore for electrolysis projects inland. This renewable energy supply is complemented by the potential development of hydrogen import infrastructure via seaports like Amsterdam and IJmuiden, linking international hydrogen producers with Dutch consumers and pan-European markets.

This combination of renewable production potential, port infrastructure and industrial demand is what makes the North Sea region especially significant in the Hydrogen Valley landscape. Projects detailed on the map include industrial hydrogen initiatives, import and export terminals, pipelines and networks that will help integrate hydrogen into existing energy systems.

Supporting Regional Collaboration and European Alignment
Importantly, the Hydrogen Valley map serves not only as an informational tool, but also as a coordination platform. By providing visibility into active projects and emerging opportunities, it supports alignment among public authorities, industry partners, knowledge institutions and investors. This shared view helps regional stakeholders to prioritise actions, identify synergies and present a cohesive picture to national and European decision-makers.

The Hydrogen Valley designation and corresponding mapping effort reinforce North Holland’s role in Europe’s broader hydrogen economy, showing how coordinated regional action can strengthen infrastructure planning, attract investment and accelerate deployment across the hydrogen value chain.

Link to the hydrogen valley map of North Holland: click here