Dutch state-owned energy infrastructure company Gasunie has officially filled the first 32-kilometer section of its national hydrogen pipeline network, marking a major milestone for Northern Europe’s energy transition despite a history of logistical and economic delays.

The initial segment, located within the Port of Rotterdam, now connects the strategic industrial hub directly to hydrogen supply lines. 

To christen the infrastructure, Gasunie utilized green hydrogen supplied by Plug Power, transported from a production facility in northern Germany.

Niels van Pagee, Gasunie’s hydrogen network manager, described the commissioning as a logistical feat that required rapid coordination.

"It was quite a challenging process," van Pagee said. "Within a short time span and under a tight deadline, dozens of trailers carrying containers full of green hydrogen had to make their way from northern Germany to the Maasvlakte industrial area near Rotterdam, where we had set up a temporary filling site."

This 32-kilometer stretch serves as the foundation for an ambitious 1,200-kilometer nationwide grid. 

Once complete, the network will link the major industrial ports of Zeeland, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Noord, while eventually integrating with neighboring energy networks in Germany.

The project’s progress comes after a period of significant uncertainty. In December 2024, Gasunie was forced to push the project's completion timeline back by three years, citing a sluggish hydrogen market that made infrastructure investment difficult to justify. 

These headwinds persisted into 2025, with the company noting that familiar regulatory and economic hurdles continued to hamper construction.

Despite these setbacks, the Port of Rotterdam remains a focal point for clean energy investment. 

Local officials hope the port will not only host domestic production but also serve as the primary gateway for importing hydrogen carriers intended for the wider European market.

With the first section now pressurized and operational, the Netherlands moves one step closer to its goal of becoming a central hydrogen hub for the continent.