EnBW, Zenith Energy Terminals, GasLog and Port of Amsterdam sign Agreement to jointly develop a NL-DE hydrogen corridor
Duisburg, Germany – 15 November 2023: EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, a leading energy company in Germany and provider of renewable energies and infrastructure, has signed a Framework Agreement with Zenith Energy Terminals, GasLog and Port of Amsterdam to establish a green hydrogen connection through the port of Amsterdam to the facilities of EnBW in Germany. This connection would serve as an extension of the collaborations Port of Amsterdam, Zenith Energy Terminals and GasLog have in place, including with producers in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Oman. Additionally, the initiative by the partners aligns with the shared ambitions of the Dutch and German governments, with the Netherlands seeking to become the gateway to a corridor connecting outside producers to the main German industries, with the flow of green hydrogen supporting these industries in their efforts to decarbonise.
The Framework Agreement was officially signed during the H2 Connecting Event, which took place in Duisburg on 14 November, as part of the working visit to the state of North Rhine Westphalia by his Majesty the King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander. His Majesty the King, the State Secretary for Energy in the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Philipp Nimmermann and State Secretary for the Extractive Industries in the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Hans Vijlbrief, Prime Minister of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst and Deputy Premier and Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Mona Neubaur were present as official witnesses to the signing.
EnBW has ambitious targets in driving the energy transition by focusing on providing renewable energies, electricity grids, telecommunications networks, e-mobility and smart, sustainable energy solutions for its customers. Peter Heydecker, Executive Director Trading, stated: “EnBW pursues several pathways for the transport of hydrogen. Thus we want to ensure security of renewable energy supply and further use limitation of fossil-based energy sources, thereby actively contributing to the decarbonisation of our economy.”
The port of Amsterdam is well positioned to supply the hydrogen volumes needed by EnBW to accomplish these goals. The parties to the Framework Agreement will focus on the commercial and technical feasibility of the liquid hydrogen corridor between the port and EnBW’s facilities and those of its customers in Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
Being a global energy hub, the port of Amsterdam is prioritising the development of green hydrogen capabilities, as part of its pursuance of energy transition and to serve as a gateway to Europe by establishing viable import corridors with key hydrogen producing nations including Oman, Spain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
This Framework Agreement also encompasses an assessment of the alternative hydrogen transport modalities, building on the work that the Dutch and German governments have undertaken in the envisioned development of extensive, cross-border pipeline infrastructure.
Dorine Bosman, Chief Investment Officer at Port of Amsterdam said: “This agreement is testament to the compelling proposition the port of Amsterdam, Zenith Energy Terminals and GasLog have developed for the German market. A renowned and forward-thinking player like EnBW is a great partner, and we look forward to jointly realising a renewable energy supply with the goal of decarbonising German industries. The advanced partnerships we already have in place with several key producers across the world, create a strong foundation to establish a global liquid hydrogen corridor, with the port of Amsterdam as the nexus between production and off-take.”
Zenith Energy Terminals is the operator of one of the most prominent energy storage and distribution facilities in the port of Amsterdam. The company is developing an open access liquid hydrogen import facility in Amsterdam, focusing on providing hydrogen producers access to Dutch and European hydrogen markets. Zenith Energy Terminals’ liquid hydrogen terminal facilitates the importation, and storage of liquid hydrogen in Amsterdam, serving as the gateway to Northwest Europe. This infrastructure offers great opportunities for partners such as EnBW, providing a continuous flow of green hydrogen to the German hinterland.
Zenith Energy Terminals works closely with GasLog, a leading global provider of liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipping services, to develop specialised vessels capable of transporting liquid hydrogen safely and efficiently from various international liquid hydrogen producers to the port of Amsterdam.
The Framework Agreement was signed by Peter Heydecker, Executive Director Trading of EnBW, Ellen Ruhotas, Head of New Energies of Zenith Energy Terminals, Haruo Kikkawa, Commercial Projects Lead of GasLog and Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director of Port of Amsterdam International. The Framework Agreement was signed in the presence of HM Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands, State Secretary Nimmermann and State Secretary Vijlbrief, Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia Wüst and Deputy Premier Neubaur.
About EnBW
With a workforce of some 27,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe. It supplies electricity, gas and water together with infrastructure and energy-related products and services to around 5.5 million customers. In the company’s transformation from a traditional energy provider to a sustainable infrastructure group, the expansion of renewable energy sources and of the distribution and transportation grids for electricity and gas are cornerstones of EnBW’s growth strategy and the focus of its investment spending. Between 2023, and 2025, EnBW plans gross investment totalling €14 billion, largely in accelerating the implementation of the energy transition. EnBW aims for renewables to account for over half of its generation portfolio by as early as the end of 2025 and to phase out coal by the end of 2028. These are key milestones on the way to the company being carbon-neutral by 2035.
For more information, please visit: www.enbw.com
About Port of Amsterdam
Port of Amsterdam aims to be a leading European seaport at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable society. The port is a logistics hub for international and national trade flows, as well as local urban distribution. The port focuses on growth of bio- and synthetic fuels, hydrogen activities, circular industry and manufacturing. Western Europe's fourth port delivers added value by employing 68,000 people at port and port-related companies. By innovating, the port is working towards a smoother and more transparent shipping process and reduced CO2 emissions from port and shipping. Port of Amsterdam is working intensively with clients and partners to make the port operate faster, smarter and cleaner. So a little better every day.
For more information, please visit www.portofamsterdam.com
About Zenith Energy Terminals
Zenith Energy Terminals is a world-class midstream company that owns and operates over 3 million cubic metres of renewable fuels, crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals and gas storage across North American, Europe and Latin America through its subsidiaries Zenith International and Zenith Energy U.S. The Company’s focus is on building a sustainable, independent liquid storage terminals business that provides safe and reliable solutions for its customers in the years to come.
For more information, visit www.zenithterminals.com
About GasLog Ltd.
GasLog Ltd. (“GasLog”) is an international owner, operator and manager of LNG carriers providing support to international energy companies as part of their LNG logistics chain. GasLog’s consolidated fleet consists of 38 LNG carriers (33 on the water, four under construction and one vessel undergoing conversion into a floating storage and regasification unit, or “FSRU”). Of these vessels, 18 are owned by GasLog, six have been sold and leased back by GasLog under long-term bareboat charters and of the remaining 14 LNG carriers, 11 are owned by the Company’s subsidiary, GasLog Partners LP, and three have been sold and leased back by GasLog Partners LP.
For more information, visit www.gaslogltd.com