Hydrogen: Driving the Energy Transition in the Cross-Border Region

Hydrogen plays a crucial role in tackling climate change, as highlighted by the EU Green Deal. It is key to transforming the energy system and is strongly influenced by global developments in the gas market. On a national level, governments are making significant investments to accelerate hydrogen adoption.

In Germany, major projects include plans for a pipeline between Germany and Norway as well as a hydrogen pipeline network starting in North-West Germany (Get H2 Nukleus). In the Netherlands, the Nationaal Waterstof Programma is driving forward national initiatives.

Cross-Border Cooperation and Projects

In our cross-border region, multiple projects are underway to make industrial processes, transport, and heating more carbon neutral. A strong cross-border H2 network has already been established, connecting over 100 companies, knowledge institutes, and governments.

This network brings together diverse competencies, including:

• Process industry
• Transport and mobility
• Decentral energy hubs
• Best practices for hydrogen use in rural areas

Concrete examples include the Bioenergiepark Saerbeck, the Klimahafen Gelsenkirchen, the H2 Application Center Herten, and the H2 Hub Twente.

Strong Innovative Players

The region also benefits from a portfolio of innovative companies that are shaping the hydrogen economy, such as 2G Energy AG, Westfalen AG, Enapter, Demcon, Remeha, Nedstack, Elestor, and Lagerweij.

Together with institutions like EUREGIO, IHK Nord Westfalen, and the Bezirksregierung Münster, the HydrogenX platform has been launched. Its goal: to map hydrogen initiatives across the cross-border region and make collaboration more visible.

INTERREG Projects

On top of this, INTERREG projects are also being implemented, such as BOOST, which further strengthens the hydrogen ecosystem in the region.

Conclusion

The Hydrogen Cluster in the cross-border region demonstrates how governments, research institutes, and companies can work hand in hand to develop hydrogen solutions for industry, mobility, and energy systems. With strong networks, innovative players, and concrete projects, the region is positioning itself as a key driver of the hydrogen economy in Europe.