Hydrogen has the potential to play a central role in the shift towards decarbonization, helping to balance electricity supply and demand, reducing industrial emissions, providing energy security, and enabling a robust energy trading network.

The North Sea region is expected to take a leadership role in the development of the hydrogen value chain in Europe. With its proximity to offshore wind resources, existing natural gas infrastructure, and industrial hubs, the North Sea is well-positioned to become a key hydrogen production and distribution center.

The North Sea countries inspected in this section are France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, UK, and Ireland.

Developing a comprehensive hydrogen value chain enables North Sea countries to meet their decarbonization targets and create new economic opportunities. A strategic roadmap to 2050 should focus on essential elements such as targeted investments, international collaboration, and technological advancements.

Current Hydrogen Backbone and Storage: Limited to Onshore.

Currently, the hydrogen industry is predominantly onshore, with only a few pilot-scale initiatives for offshore hydrogen production.

Interest in offshore production is expected to grow significantly, particularly with new projects and plans emerging from the North Sea countries.

The present hydrogen demand among the nine countries surrounding the North Sea stands at approximately 4.4 Mt, equivalent to 145 TWh of lower heating value (LHV).

Germany and the Netherlands lead this demand, each exceeding 1 Mt/year, while other countries each report demands below 1 Mt annually.

Refineries and the ammonia industry account for 75% of this demand, with the rest used in methanol production, chemical industry, and industrial heat.