Speakers H2A
Hydrogen in a Fast-Changing World
Building European Resilience
H2A Symposium 2026 speakers
Join us for an insightful and engaging event, full of opportunities to network and to discuss the future of the hydrogen industry. On Thursday 18th June 2026, the H2A Association will host the fourth edition of its annual symposium, this year at Bimhuis Amsterdam. This event offers a unique platform to explore and exchange ideas on the future of hydrogen:
Hydrogen in a Fast-Changing World
Building European Resilience
The 2026 Symposium will dive deep into this new reality. Under the title “Hydrogen in a Fast-Changing World: Building European Resilience,” H2A will once again bring public and private leaders to Amsterdam to discuss the latest developments and insights. Speakers and attendees will include senior representatives from European institutions, national governments, industry, infrastructure operators, financial institutions and international producers, and much more.
It promises to be an exciting and memorable day; one you do not want to miss!
Host: Rumaitha Al Busaidi
Climate Strategist | Green Hydrogen | TED Speaker | BBC 100 Women | Reuters Top 25 Women in Climate Change
Rumaitha Al Busaidi is a leading strategist in Oman’s green hydrogen transition. At Hydrom, she has helped build the architecture behind Oman’s emergence as a global hydrogen hub. Her work in Oman’s hydrogen auction rounds has helped secure over 11 billion dollars in foreign direct investment and shaped the in-country value framework that ties the sector to the Omani economy. Behind the operational work sits more than a decade in the UN climate negotiations, where Rumaitha represented the Arab League at the COP system before moving into energy transition delivery. She is part of the World Economic Forum’s Energy Nexus Future Council, advancing work on the water-energy-food nexus that connects directly to her training as a scientist and environmental advocate.
Her policy work extends globally. She has advised the Biden administration on climate resilience in foreign aid, the government of Greenland on sustainable tourism, and most recently along with her peers in Ecolog and Port of Amsterdam launched the world’s first commercial liquid hydrogen corridor collaboration in the presence of their majesties the rulers of Oman and The Netherlands. Her 2021 TED talk on women as the key to climate solutions has been viewed over a million times, and she has been named on Reuters’s Top 25 Women in Climate Change and also on the BBC 100 list. A Harvard and Oxford graduate, she is the youngest Omani to ski to the South Pole.
Willemien Terpstra
CEO of Gasunie – connecting role within the energy transition
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.
Jorden van Foreest
Group Business Development Director
Jorden van Foreest is a former officer of the Royal Netherlands Navy, with over 15 years of experience in the global energy sector across trading, origination, asset investment and commercial strategy. As a business development executive, he has led the conception and delivery of growth initiatives, complex negotiations and long-term partnerships. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Exeter.
Since October 2025, Jorden has served as Group Business Development Director at Evos, a leading liquid energy and chemicals storage company and a partner of H2A. Evos operates a network of eight strategically located tank terminals across six major ports in five European countries. As Europe progresses towards net zero, Jorden and the Evos business development team work closely with industry partners to develop infrastructure for hydrogen, ammonia, CO₂ and methanol as transition fuels.
Shaped by living and working in developing countries with inadequate energy infrastructure, and motivated as a father of two young children, Jorden is driven by the ambition to contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come. He believes that Evos, as the largest tank storage provider in the Port of Amsterdam, is well positioned to facilitate LOHC imports to supply hydrogen to regional users.
Jasper Vos
Managing Director, Wienerberger Netherlands
Jasper Vos is the Managing Director of Wienerberger Netherlands, part of Wienerberger Group, Europe’s leading producer of ceramic building materials, including bricks, roof tiles, and paving solutions. In this role, he plays a key part in advancing sustainable construction and supporting the delivery of the Netherlands’ ambitious building agenda.
With over nine years at Wienerberger, Jasper brings extensive leadership experience across operations and commercial functions. Prior to joining the company, he held roles in industries such as glass and aluminium, as well as in civil engineering, building a broad foundation in industrial and infrastructure sectors.
Jasper has an international career background, having worked across multiple markets including Belgium, Germany, and Brazil, which has shaped his global perspective on business, innovation, and sustainability in the built environment.
He holds a degree in Environmental Technology from Wageningen University, reflecting his long-standing commitment to sustainability and responsible development.
Santosh Raikar
Silverpeak, Managing Partner and Head of Renewables
Santosh Raikar is the Managing Partner of Silverpeak Renewables Investment Partners where he leads the firm’s renewable energy investment platform. With more than 25 years of experience in energy and infrastructure finance, Santosh specializes in renewable energy, power, oil & gas and midstream infrastructure investments. Prior to joining Silverpeak, Santosh served as Managing Director in the Renewable Energy Investments Group at State Street, leading the origination, structuring and execution of tax equity investments across the U.S. renewable energy sector. Earlier in his career, he held principal investment roles at Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers, building extensive expertise in project finance and energy infrastructure investment. In addition to his investment leadership, Santosh is an active educator and thought leader in renewable energy finance. He teaches a graduate-level course titled Renewable Energy Investments at the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. He is also the author of the widely recognized book Renewable Energy Finance: Theory and Practice, with the second edition published in 2024.
Santosh holds two Master of Science degrees in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and in Electrical Engineering from Arizona State University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Mumbai. His work bridges finance, technology and policy to support the global transition toward sustainable energy systems.
Ellen Ruhotas
Developing New Energy Supply Chains and Services to enable the Energy Transition
Ellen Ruhotas is a leading expert in liquid hydrogen and sustainable energy infrastructure with a lot of international experience across the bulk liquid storage, maritime and energy sectors. She plays a pivotal role in advancing hydrogen solutions and accelerating the transition toward cleaner and more resilient energy systems. Throughout her career, Ellen has held senior leadership positions spanning engineering, operations and commercial management across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Oceania. Her work focuses on developing innovative hydrogen supply chains and infrastructure solutions that support the global energy transition. Recognized with the prestigious Hydrogen Medal, Ellen has been instrumental in positioning Amsterdam as an emerging global hydrogen hub. She has built strategic partnerships with countries including Oman, Saudi Arabia and Germany, contributing to the development of facilities for hydrogen import, storage, distribution and regasification in the Port of Amsterdam.
Ellen holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical/Industrial) with First Class Honours from the University of New South Wales, as well as both an MBA and Bachelor of Laws from Macquarie University, also with First Class Honours.
Dr. Stefan Stollenwerk
Vice President Business Development & Sales, Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies
Dr Stefan Stollenwerk is Vice President of Business Development & Sales at Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies, leading strategic growth and partnerships in the hydrogen sector. With over 15 years of experience in energy and mobility, he has held senior roles at E.ON Hydro-gen, Westnetz, innogy SE, and Open Grid Europe, driving large-scale hydrogen infrastructure and clean mobility projects. His expertise spans sales leadership, project development, and stakeholder engagement, underpinned by a strong engineering background with degrees from RWTH Aachen and Ruhr University Bochum. Fluent in German, English, and French, Stefan is passionate about advancing the clean energy transition.
Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven
H2FLEXX | H2Fuel
Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven is a Dutch business executive with extensive experience in the offshore, energy, and industrial sectors.
He began his career in the offshore industry in the 1980s and held various international management roles before moving into senior leadership positions. Notably, he served as CEO of Heerema Marine Contractors and Heerema Fabrication Group, where he led large-scale offshore construction and energy projects worldwide.
After nearly a decade with Heerema, he stepped down in 2022 to pursue new ventures. Since then, he has been active in the energy transition as CEO of H2Fuel, focusing on innovative hydrogen storage and transport solutions. Currently after the merger of HydroFlexx and H2Fuel he acts as CEO of H2FLEXX.
Van Brouwershaven is known for his strategic leadership in complex industrial environments and for bridging traditional offshore energy expertise with emerging sustainable technologies.
Wiard Leenders
Co-Founder Voyex B.V. & Founder NitrogenCleanUp | Hydrogen & Renewable Energy |Sustainable Maritime at Voyex
Wiard Leenders is naval architect by education and having worked quite some years in leading roles in the composite and maritime industry he co-founded Voyex early 2020. (Delft, The Netherlands) The mission and ambition of Wiard and the team of Voyex is to offer an affordable energy transition path for the hard to abate sector as the heavy duty mobility (ao ships, off road mobility, remote energy, long distance trucks). Core is to have an efficient, easy and therefore affordable route in decarbonisation. The Team of Voyex has developed a dedicated LOHC (Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier) Technology. This LOHC is not only meant for importing Hydrogen to be used in a main port but is also and specifically meant for end use applications as the heavy duty market. Facing the charachteristics of the liquid existing assets of fossil fuel (piping, terminals, ships etc) can therefore still used. Core activities Wiard has been involved with are: the development of the process for the LOHC liquid as well as the hydrogenation and de-hydrogenation technologies. As the focus of Voyex is primarily on transport and storage of renewable Hydrogen, Wiard is continuously looking for collaborations and partnerships in the whole supply chain of hydrogen.
Carl Holthausen
Director Holthausen Energy Points BV, Groengas Assets BV, Holthausen Gassen BV and Holthausen Clean Technology BV. Hoogezand, Groningen, Oosterwolde, Amsterdam, Denbosch
Carl Holthausen is a Dutch entrepreneur and clean energy expert, best known as the CEO of Holthausen. With over two decades of experience in sustainable innovation, he is a pioneer in hydrogen mobility and zero-emission transport solutions in Europe. Holthausen has been instrumental in developing hydrogen-powered vehicles, infrastructure, and integrated energy systems, helping businesses transition away from fossil fuels. As a speaker, he is recognized for his practical, forward-looking insights on decarbonization, circular energy systems, and the real-world deployment of clean technologies.
Aldwin Oechies
Technology professional at Holthausen Energy Points
Aldwin Oechies is a Dutch clean technology professional at Holthausen Energy Points, where he contributes to advancing sustainable energy and mobility solutions. With a strong focus on hydrogen and zero-emission technologies, he is involved in bridging innovation with practical implementation for industry applications. As a speaker, he shares insights on the transition to clean energy, the role of hydrogen in decarbonization, and the challenges and opportunities in scaling sustainable technologies.
Rob van der Horst
Directeur Alliander Next Grid | Connecting people and energy
Focusing on accelerating the energy transition, Rob van der Horst has extensive experience at the intersection of energy infrastructure, innovation and European collaboration. He is Director of Alliander Next Grid, the division of energy network company Alliander that collaborates with European entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and scale new energy solutions. In his role, Rob translates long-term transition ambitions into practical initiatives, connecting strategy, technology and market development. Alliander Next Grid includes Firan Hydrogen, a leading business in the development of hydrogen infrastructure.
Within the H2A partnership, Rob brings a system-level perspective on hydrogen as a key enabler for decarbonising industry and transport. He contributes by strengthening market collaboration, scaling sustainable solutions and supporting H2A’s ambition to position the Port of Amsterdam as a leading hub for green hydrogen imports in Northwest Europe.
René Ammerlaan
Hydrogen Business Developer
As a Hydrogen Business Developer, I am the central contact to bring producers and off-takers together and to develop, realize and manage local and regional hydrogen networks together with municipalities, port companies and/or industry partners. Realizing new energy infrastructures will support industrial companies to make steps in their energy transition and help to lower the CO2 emissions. Since 2022 I am actively involved in the development of the hydrogen distribution network in the Amsterdam Port area; Project H2avennet. In parallel we are working on other hydrogen networks in the North Sea Canal Area, like the Zaannet project.
Together with partners in the private and public environment, Firan makes the sustainable energy of the future accessible to everyone in the Industrial environment. Firan develops, builds and operates infrastructures that are ready for the future. With our open networks for heat, cold, steam, hydrogen we solve local energy issues. For hydrogen network pipelines and energy hubs, we mainly focus on business and industrial parks and port areas.
Stijn Grove
Managing Director of the Dutch Data Center Association
Stijn Grove is the Managing Director of the Dutch Data Center Association (DDA), the industry association representing leading data centers in the Netherlands. In this role, he works closely with government bodies, technology companies and infrastructure partners to strengthen Netherlands position as one of Europe’s leading digital hubs. Stijn is a recognized advocate for sustainable digital infrastructure and actively promotes innovation, energy efficiency and responsible growth in the data center sector.
With extensive experience in digital infrastructure, connectivity, and policy development, Stijn has become an influential voice in discussions surrounding cloud computing, AI infrastructure and Europe’s digital economy. Under his leadership, the DDA has played a key role in advancing sustainability initiatives, encouraging collaboration between public and private stakeholders and increasing awareness of the strategic importance of data centers to modern society. Stijn is a frequent speaker at international conferences and industry forums where he shares insights on the future of digital infrastructure, sustainable technology and the rapidly evolving European data center landscape.
He is widely recognized for his commitment to innovation, collaboration, and positioning the Netherlands as a global leader in digital connectivity and sustainable data infrastructure.
Paul Vonk
CCS, Biomethane & Hydrogen Business Lead
Tata Steel Netherlands
Paul Vonk is a member of Tata Steel Netherlands’ (TSN) leadership team committed to achieving the company’s goal of being CO2 neutral before 2045 and emit 40 percent less CO2 by 2030.
Paul is responsible for sourcing the natural gas alternatives (CCS, Biomethane & Hydrogen) that will allow TSN to produce clean, green and circular steel. He is evaluating partnerships and investments in order to set up the value chains that will enable this sourcing.
Paul began his career as an engineer in the upstream oil and gas industry in Northern Africa before his transition to investment banking in London. At Nomura and ABN AMRO, Paul managed M&A, complex debt and equity transactions for energy industry clients. Before joining TSN, Paul led a listed energy exploration company.
Paul Vonk has an MBA from the University of Oxford and a MSc. in Mining and Petroleum Engineering from Delft University, the Netherlands.
Stephan Bredewold
Founder and Director of Fountain Fuel
He shaped the company into a prominent and visible zero-emission brand in the Dutch mobility sector. Fountain Fuel combines e-charging and hydrogen refueling.
Fountain Fuel’s patented station design® is widely recognized as a flagship initiative in the hydrogen economy, due to significant market share and reliable performing stations.
Stephan regards hydrogen inevitable regarding topics like security of supply, energy independence, grid congestion and climate.
Lucia van Geuns
Experienced energy professional
Lucia van Geuns is an experienced energy professional who held research positions at the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) and the Clingendael International Energy Programme (CIEP) after a career with Royal Dutch Shell (1980- 2002).
She has a background in geoscience, petroleum engineering, economics & planning. Her research focuses on international energy market developments, energy transition issues and climate change policies. In her present role, she is a frequent speaker on (international) energy markets for various public and private stakeholders.
Ms. Van Geuns holds a Master’s degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Leiden. She was also president of the Royal Geological and Mining Society of the Netherlands (KNGMG) from 2013-2019
Volker Hasenberg
Deputy Head of Division Regulatory Strategy and Head of International Hydrogen Strategy at Daimler Truck AG
Volker Hasenberg is Deputy Head of Division Regulatory Strategy and Head of International Hydrogen Strategy at Daimler Truck AG. He focuses on future hydrogen supply chain projects as well as on upcoming regulations related to hydrogen-powered trucks. Volker and his team are also doing energy price forecasts for internal market strategies.
Prio to this, he was CO2 Strategy Manager dealing with CO2 fleet regulations for trucks in Europe and other markets.
He brings over 20 years of experience in environmental, climate and energy topics, especially in the mobility and fuel sector.
Before joining Daimler AG 2015 Volker was six years Senior Consultant at THINKSTEP AG and another five years Personal Assistant at the German Parliament.
Volker holds a master degree in Geoecology and Environmental Management (University of Tübingen). His thesis about sustainable biofuels was published as a specialized book.
In his private life he enjoys to work on his personal energy transition trying to further minimize his own carbon footprint. Under #MyRaceToZero he regularly posts progress he made on LinkedIn.
No matter how much hydrogen we will use in which sector, we need a green hydrogen economy – that’s the bottom line. Without hydrogen we will miss our climate targets with a crash.”
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
Lieuwe Brouwer
Programme Coordinator, NLHydrogen
Lieuwe Brouwer is Programme Coordinator at NLHydrogen, the Dutch hydrogen industry association. In this role, he works closely with industry stakeholders on the development of hydrogen production, imports, infrastructure, and market growth in the Netherlands.
Before joining NLHydrogen, Lieuwe was responsible for the Municipality of Rotterdam’s hydrogen strategy, where he played an active role in advancing hydrogen initiatives and strengthening the region’s position as a key hub in the emerging hydrogen economy.
Combining experience from both the public and private sectors, Lieuwe brings a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges associated with scaling the hydrogen market. His work focuses on creating the conditions necessary for a strong and competitive hydrogen ecosystem in the Netherlands and Europe.
James Hallworth
Business Development Manager Hydrogen | Port of Amsterdam
James is actively involved in the import, local production, local- and regional distribution, and utilisation of green hydrogen within the Amsterdam port and the North Sea Canal Area. His core responsibilities include international business development and stakeholder management within the Port of Amsterdam organisation. The Port of Amsterdam operates as an autonomous company owned by the City of Amsterdam.
Xaan de Kock
CEO, Bio Energy Netherlands
Xaan de Kock is CEO of Bio Energy Netherlands and a recognized leader in sustainable fuels, hydrogen, and carbon management solutions. With a background in chemical engineering from Stellenbosch University, he brings more than two decades of experience in the energy and chemical sectors.
Prior to his current role, Xaan spent over ten years at Sasol, where he specialized in gasification technologies, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, catalysis, commissioning, and digital transformation. Today, he focuses on developing innovative solutions that transform biogenic feedstocks and waste streams into renewable fuels, green hydrogen, sustainable CO₂, and other circular products.
Passionate about accelerating the transition to a sustainable and circular economy, Xaan advocates for the responsible use of carbon resources and the development of technologies that support both decarbonization and industrial competitiveness.
Robert Koornneef
Senior Business Manager Heat & Hydrogen, Eneco Energy Trade
Robert Koornneef is Senior Business Manager Heat & Hydrogen at Eneco, where he is responsible for developing and managing heat and hydrogen-related business activities within Eneco Energy Trade.
With more than 25 years of experience in the energy sector, Robert has held a variety of commercial, operational, and contract management roles. Since joining Eneco in 2008, he has contributed to the development of heat and energy solutions that support the transition to a more sustainable energy system.
In his current role, Robert focuses on the integration of hydrogen and low-carbon energy solutions into future energy markets. Through Eneco’s activities in renewable energy production, trading, and industrial decarbonization, he works on creating practical pathways for the deployment of hydrogen within the broader energy transition.
Dick Benschop
Dick Benschop is a Dutch leader whose career has spanned politics, international business, and civic service. He served as President-Director of Shell Netherlands and later as Chief Executive of the Royal Schiphol Group, guiding two of the Netherlands’ most prominent industries through periods of transition and global challenge.
Trained as a historian at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Benschop entered public service early and later served as State Secretary for European Affairs from 1998 to 2002. In that role, he represented the Netherlands in shaping key European treaties and in advancing global climate policy, including as host of the 2000 UN Climate Change Conference in The Hague.
At Shell, Benschop oversaw renewable energy strategy in Europe before rising to lead Shell Netherlands, where he navigated questions of energy transition and sustainability. He later became CEO of the Royal Schiphol Group, steering the country’s aviation hub through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, Benschop remains actively engaged in advancing sustainability, climate action, and societal development through a range of advisory and governance roles. He serves as Chair of Mission Possible Partnership, Chair of Stichting Financieel Gezond Nederland, Board Adviser to Ampowr, and holds board and advisory positions with organizations including Smart Freight Centre, KNMI, Join Us, and The Trilateral Commission.