H2A Symposium
Making the leap.
Achieving breakthroughs in hydrogen imports
H2A Symposium 2025 speakers
Join us for an insightful and engaging event, full of opportunities to network and to discuss the future of the hydrogen industry.
On June 19, 2025, Hydrogen to Amsterdam (H2A) will host its third annual symposium. This event offers a unique platform to explore and exchange ideas on the future of hydrogen:
Making the leap
Achieving breakthroughs in hydrogen imports
How to tackle the identified bottlenecks for the realisation of import supply chains? Which solutions work for an integrated value chain?
Previous editions included well respected keynotes such as Oman’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, H.E. Salim al Aufi, former European Commission stalwart Mr. Diederik Samson and the Dutch Director-General of Climate and Energy, Mr. Michel Heijdra. This year promises guests of equal stature, making the Symposium an ideal occasion to connect and engage with, and to share and learn about the latest innovations, challenges, and solutions in clean hydrogen.
The 2025 H2A Symposium coincides with the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam. To honor this milestone, H2A will collaborate with the University of Amsterdam, adding a new dimension to the program by integrating the latest scientific insights.
It promises to be an exciting and memorable day; one you do not want to miss!
Host: Melissa Ablett-Jordaan
Idea Builder & Strategic Fixer Exploring FemTech
Melissa Ablett-Jordaan is a growth-focused executive with global experience across the US, EU, and Asia. She’s spent her career supporting startups, investors, corporates, and governments in building thriving innovation ecosystems.
Previously COO of CIC, Melissa oversaw startup hubs in eight cities worldwide. She also scaled a digital media startup to acquisition and worked in US innovation policy.
A seasoned event host and moderator, she’s led major conferences and virtual events. Melissa has mentored startups through programs like TechStars Amsterdam and Yes!Delft and has served on several nonprofit boards.
Willemien Terpstra
Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Chair of the Executive Board of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie
Willemien Terpstra is the Chief Executive Office (CEO) and Chair of the Executive Board of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, a European energy infrastructure company at the forefront of the energy transition. With over 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, Willemien is renowed for her inspirational leadership and her ability to inspire and motivate teams. She is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from Nyenrode University in the Netherlands and an MBA from Emory University in Atlanta (USA). Willemien is also an active member of several industry boards and committees. Notably, she represented the Rotterdam chemical cluster at the Dutch Climate Table, playing a crucial role in setting the climate targets for the Netherlands.
Ellen Ruhotas
Chief Executive Office (CEO) at ECOLOG
Ellen Ruhotas plays a key role in advancing liquid hydrogen solutions, combining decades of expertise in midstream operations within the bulk liquid storage and maritime industries to drive the transition to cleaner energy. With a proven track record in engineering, operations, and commercial management across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Oceania, Ellen is at the forefront of developing innovative solutions for the new energy era.
Awarded the prestigious Hydrogen Medal, Ellen has been a driving force behind Amsterdam’s emergence as a global hydrogen hub. She has forged key partnerships with countries such as Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Germany, facilitating progress in liquid hydrogen as a viable and sustainable transportation solution. Her efforts have included the development of facilities for hydrogen import, storage, distribution, and regasification in Amsterdam.
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/Industrial) with First Class Honours from the University of New South Wales, as well as an MBA and Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, with First Class Honours. A multilingual international commercial arbitrator fluent in English and Greek, Ellen’s global expertise and leadership have consistently shaped energy management, corporate strategy, and international supply chains.
Michel Heijdra
Director General for Climate and Energy at the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
In that capacity he is responsible for the development of policies of the Dutch government on energy markets, securing reliability, affordability and the road to climate neutrality. Before that he worked for 11 years at the Dutch Ministry of Finance, in his last position as Treasurer General and director for International financial affairs. He focused on policies for financial markets, eurozone policies, export credits and the outfall of the credit crisis and eurozone debt crisis. In between he worked at the Dutch central bank as head of risk management. Michel started his career at a consultancy firm after his PhD. He studied physics and philosophy in Leiden, Utrecht and Berlin.
Zita Pels
Alderman for Sustainability and Circular Economy, Municipality of Amsterdam
Zita Pels, born on April 26, 1986, in Amsterdam, is a dedicated public servant with a diverse and impactful career spanning various sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and Organizational Sciences, a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, and has completed MBO courses in equestrian sports. Her professional journey has uniquely blended her passion for sustainability, public administration, and her entrepreneurial spirit.
Since 2022, Zita has served as the Alderman for Sustainability and Circular Economy, Housing (Living without Building), Animal Welfare, Food and Waste, and Cleaning for the Municipality of Amsterdam. In this role, she is responsible for advancing the city’s environmental policies and overseeing key aspects of its sustainable development.
Before her tenure in Amsterdam’s city government, Zita served as a Member of the Provincial Executive for North Holland from 2019 to 2022, where she managed portfolios such as finance, circular economy, seaports, culture, sports, and personnel and organization. Her leadership in these areas contributed to significant advancements in North Holland’s circular economy and cultural initiatives.
Zita’s career also includes a notable tenure as the director of the Kyra Foundation from 2015 to 2019, as well as teaching philosophy of life at Damstede in Amsterdam Noord from 2010 to 2014. Prior to her public service roles, she was an entrepreneur in equestrian sports for nearly a decade, showcasing her versatility and commitment to community-oriented work.
In addition to her career, Zita has been deeply involved in politics. She was a top candidate for GroenLinks in the 2019 provincial elections and served as a committee member, later becoming the party leader in the Provincial Council of North Holland in 2018. She also held the position of Treasurer for the GroenLinks Noord-Holland board from 2013 to 2015. Her political engagement reflects her strong dedication to creating positive change in both local and regional governance.
Zita’s work continues to reflect her commitment to sustainability, circular economy, and societal well-being, making her a key figure in advancing progressive policies for the future.
Brigitte van den Berg
Member of the European Parliament for D66 (Renew Europe)
Political Leader and Advocate for a Sustainable Future
Brigitte van den Berg grew up in a family and community of steelmakers, which instilled in her a deep understanding of industry and its role in the economy. Currently based in Brussels, Brigitte works towards creating a prosperous and clean future for European industries, advocating for the strong recognition of vocational training and the critical role that skilled workers play in this transformation.
Active in politics in Beverwijk since 2010, Brigitte has been a passionate voice for the region’s growth and transition. Born in Heemskerk, raised in Velsen-Noord, and a regular commuter across the IJ, Brigitte proudly identifies as an IJmonder and is deeply connected to her community. She views Beverwijk as a place that balances tranquillity with vitality, offering both a peaceful environment for living and recreation, and easy access to the dynamic life of Amsterdam.
Brigitte is particularly focused on the exciting opportunities arising from the significant changes at TATA Steel, positioning Beverwijk as the Green Energy and Manufacturing Region of the Netherlands. With a keen interest in social sustainability, she is dedicated to ensuring that the transition to a greener future is inclusive, making sure that all people can participate in a more sustainable life and contribute to society.
As the party leader of D66, Brigitte is committed to guiding Beverwijk through these changes, driving progress while ensuring that social values and opportunities for all residents remain at the forefront of the region’s development. She brings her passion for the environment, industry, and community together in her work to secure the best possible future for Beverwijk.
Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh
Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh is an Associate Professor of Sustainability Law at the University of Amsterdam and co-founder of SEVEN, the university’s climate institute. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Fiji and a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
Her research focuses on the role of law in the transition to sustainable societies, with a particular emphasis on human rights and social justice.
Margaretha has previously held positions as an Assistant Professor of Public International Law at Leiden University and coordinated the Environmental Law programme at the University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu. She has published extensively on sustainability law, with notable books including State Responsibility, Climate Change and Human Rights under International Law and Environmental Law and Governance in the Pacific. Currently, she is working on Mobilising Rights for Climate Justice and editing the Cambridge Handbook on Climate Litigation.
In addition to her academic work, Margaretha has over two decades of involvement in international climate negotiations and legal processes, advising governments, NGOs, and UN agencies. She currently serves on the Human Rights Committee of the Netherlands Advisory Council on International Affairs and advises the International Criminal Court on environmental crime policies. Margaretha is also a counsel for the Republic of Vanuatu in climate advisory proceedings before the International Court of Justice.
Prof. dr. J.C. Chris Slootweg
Professor, Physical Organic Chemistry, Circular Chemistry, Science, Technology & Innovation at University of Amsterdam
Chris Slootweg started his independent scientific career in 2006 at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2014 and moved to the University of Amsterdam in 2016, where he was promoted to full professor in Circular Chemistry in 2024. The mission of his laboratory is to educate students at the intersection of fundamental physical organic chemistry, main group chemistry, and circular chemistry. Chris is cofounder and scientific advisor of SusPhos BV, a pioneering company focused on upcycling of phosphate-rich waste streams to generate high-quality alternatives to replace current fossil-sourced products.
More can be found on: https://www.uva.nl/en/profile/s/l/j.c.slootweg/j.c.slootweg.html
Dorine Bosman
CIO at Port of Amsterdam
As Chief Investment Officer, Bosman provides direction in boosting Amsterdam as a sustainable European seaport and in stimulating and accelerating the energy transition, circular activities and industries, to reduce CO2 emissions in the port and in the region.
Within Port of Amsterdam, Bosman is responsible for infrastructure, maintenance, environmental management, innovations and commercial participations.
Bart van der Meer
Bart van der Meer is Business Development Manager New energies at Evos, focussing on the energy Transition and Evos’ future. He has a strong focus on Green Hydrogen delivered on various vectors like Ammonia and LOHC. Besides Hydrogen, he also focuses on synthetic fuels (like eSAF) and bioFuels.
Maarten Moolhuysen
Maarten Moolhuysen is director Hydrogen at Essent, an E.ON daughter company, and member of the Essent Leadership Team. He leads the business development activities for hydrogen with a focus on local hydrogen solutions for industrial offtakers including so-called energy/ hydrogen hubs. Maarten has over 20 years of experience in the energy sector, with leading roles in large scale transformation programs, operations, IT and Strategy and M&A.
Albert Kassies
Director New Energy at Tata Steel Netherlands
As Director New Energy at Tata Steel, Albert is responsible for the procurement of energy needed to produce green steel. Albert knows the company and the steel-making process like no other. He has been with Tata Steel (then Koninklijke Hoogovens) since 1996 and has contributed to the company in a variety of roles since then. Transformation runs as a common thread through his work.
M. Sc. Alexander Garbar
Head of Corporate Development, Digitalization, and Strategy, Duisport
Alexander Garbar is a seasoned leader in corporate development and digitalization with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and strategic growth. He currently serves as the Head of Corporate Development, Digitalization, and Strategy at Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport), one of the largest inland ports in Europe. In this role, Alexander is responsible for driving key initiatives in data and analytics, digitalization, hydrogen development, and various research and funding projects. His strategic vision is transforming Duisport into a central hydrogen hub in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), while overseeing the digitalization and automation of the port infrastructure.
Brenda Schoumans
Manager Business Development at Firan, part of Alliander, background in business and communication science
Ambition: Kickstart the hydrogen value chain through a proactive approach in the development of regional hydrogen networks
More information will follow soon.
Johannes C. Frevel
Head of Strategy at Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies GmbH, where he is responsible for strategic planning, corporate development and public funding.
Prior to joining Hydrogenious, Johannes held several leadership roles at Encavis AG, including Head of Process Management and Portfolio Manager for UK renewable energy assets. He began his career in asset management and consulting in the renewables sector at Advace Group. Johannes holds a Master of Science in Renewable Energy and Environmental Modelling from the University of Dundee and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics from Philipps-Universität Marburg. His mission is to advance the LOHC economy through innovation and strategic foresight.
Linda Boukhelifa
Manager Hydrogen Supply Chain, Storage and Mobility
Shell Global Solutions International B.V.
More information will follow soon.
Santosh Raikar
Santosh Raikar is the Managing Partner of Silverpeak Renewables Investment Partners, responsible for leading the firm’s new renewable energy sector platform. Santosh has more than 20 years of experience in energy and infrastructure project finance, including renewable energy, oil & gas, power, and midstream infrastructure assets. Prior to joining Silverpeak, he was a Managing Director in the Renewable Energy Investments Group at State Street where he was responsible for leading a team in originating, structuring, and executing tax equity investments in the U.S. renewable energy sector.
Tarek Helmi
Partner in Energy and Resources Practice & Global Hydrogen Lead
Tarek Helmi is a Partner in the Energy and Resources practice and serves as the Global Hydrogen Lead. With a deep expertise in decarbonization, Tarek advises CEOs and executives on strategy-driven transformations, ecosystem collaboration, and the development of new business models. His work is particularly focused on decarbonization efforts across various hard-to-abate sectors, including aviation, shipping, road freight, steel, cement, and refineries.
Tarek has specific experience in both the demand and supply sides of hydrogen. On the demand side, he has worked with numerous companies to facilitate decarbonization initiatives, while on the supply side, he has led several high-profile hydrogen projects. Additionally, Tarek supports the development of innovative business models in the hydrogen space, including hydrogen trucking as a service, storage as a service, demand aggregation for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), as well as policy and incentives.
A recognized thought leader, Tarek is the author of numerous pieces on decarbonization and hydrogen. He is also a frequent speaker at major global events and webinars, such as COP27/28, Reuters, The Economist, the World Hydrogen Summit, and Connecting for Green Hydrogen, where he shares his expertise on the future of hydrogen and its role in the global energy transition.
Tarek holds an MBA from London Business School (LBS) and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the American University in Cairo. His diverse career has taken him across the UK, Italy, Egypt, and the Netherlands, where he continues to contribute to the development of the hydrogen economy.
Expert Panels
The event will take a deep dive into three subjects that dominate the hydrogen headlines: the need for adequate and timely infrastructure, the challenges to get project throughout the supply chain financed, and the precarious balance between higher sustainability requirements and the safeguarding of the competitiveness of European industries. Each of these three subjects will be addressed during three separate, exciting panels:
Infrastructure
The import of hydrogen requires interconnected, international supply chains, in order to bring hydrogen produced from miscellaneous locations in the world to the doorstep of industries located in Northwestern-Europe. In some cases, like for Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers, this supply chain can in part rely on already existing infrastructure. In other cases, like for liquid hydrogen, this requires the constructing of new dedicated facilities. In all cases, reliable and timely (pipeline) distribution systems need to be in place to allow hydrogen to be delivered to the end users. This panel will focus on questions related to infrastructural requirements per vector, supply chain integration of infrastructure across countries and continents, the vision for a European pipeline system, needed regulations, and much more.
Financing
Given the innovative nature and the many unknowns of the hydrogen economy, it can be challenging to get projects bankable. Variability in legislation, a perceived gap between the landed cost of hydrogen and the willingness to pay by potential offtakers and hesitancy by financing institutions to accept risk, are just a few factors that can impact the bankability of projects throughout the supply chain. This panel will take a detailed look at such financing challenges, the role of public and private institutions, effective instruments to bridge the delta between cost and willingness to pay, the financing conditions projects need to meet, and how stimulate FIDs throughout the supply chain.
Industry Competitiveness
The competitiveness of European industries is a hot topic. The European Union and national governments have defined strong ambitions when it comes to decarbonization, including the use of (green) hydrogen. The counterargument against such ambitions is that it forces higher costs on industries active in sectors that are already under pressure, which could ultimately lead to the folding of facilities all over Europe, as they can no longer compete with their competitors located in other continents. The discussion for this panel will include the balance between measures to tackle climate change and keeping industries in Europe, the role of legislation and its uniform application across the members of the European Union, the considerations for companies to transform their business case, the rise of new industries, and the geopolitical context wherein companies and governments need to operate.
Anniversary year and partnership University of Amsterdam
The 2025 edition of the H2A Symposium coincides with the celebration of the 750th birthday of Amsterdam. To honour this storied legacy, H2A will team up with the University of Amsterdam, adding a new dimension to the event, which will give delegates access to the latest scientific insights. It promises to be an exciting day; one you do not want to miss!
Register Now
Do you want to join the third annual Symposium? You can now register through the link. Registration is free of charge. We look forward to welcoming you on the 19th of June!