EIH2, Port of Cork and Port of Amsterdam sign hydrogen partnership

Ireland’s first green hydrogen company, EIH2, the Port of Cork and the Port of Amsterdam today (13th September) have signed an MoU to develop a supply chain for green hydrogen between Ireland and Europe.

This partnership will enable Ireland to maximise its use of offshore wind as an energy source by providing an alternative route to the market for such renewable electricity. Earlier this year, the Irish Government identified an additional 2GW of offshore wind to be used for green hydrogen production, and this partnership provides the route to market that is needed for Ireland to become a net exporter of energy over time.

This partnership will help establish a supply chain for green hydrogen between Ireland and Europe via the port of Amsterdam. This agreement reflects the high level of collaboration between Ireland and The Netherlands and the European approach of working together to become the first Net Zero continent.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding formed part of a major offshore wind mission organised by the Netherlands Embassy in Ireland from 11th to 14th September and held in Cork. The purpose of the mission is to increase collaboration on the energy transition between Ireland and The Netherlands at a national level and business to business. The event will bring together key stakeholders from the wind sector in Ireland and The Netherlands, including supply chain, developers, academics, utilities, policy writers and policy influencers.

Ireland and the Netherlands have prioritised the development of production capacity and international distribution of green hydrogen.

Pearse Flynn, EIH2’s founder, said, “This partnership is the beginning of a supply chain for green hydrogen from Ireland where there is a lot of wind but not a lot of hydrogen demand to Europe where the situation is reversed.”

Conor Mowlds, Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Cork Company, commented, “At the Port of Cork Company, we see significant opportunities for Cork Harbour to become a hub for renewable energy, which will benefit the environment, local businesses and create employment in the region.”

Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Director of Business Development Cargo of Port of Amsterdam, added, “For Port of Amsterdam, priorities are to make green hydrogen available to the large industrial clusters in the greater Amsterdam area, as well as to serve as a gateway to the European hinterland, including regions with high potential demand in Germany.”