With an ample investment of 750 million euros from the Dutch government, Gasunie, the Netherland's gas network operator, has been tasked with managing and operating a national hydrogen transportation network.

Parts of the network are due to be completed by 2026.

"The aim of our rollout plan is to have a transport network that passes through the major industrial clusters, connects them to storage facilities and connects the Netherlands with neighboring countries," Rob Jetten, the Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy, said.

The letter sketched the route the network will take, often re-purposing Gasunie gas pipes.

"We (will) now start the construction of the public hydrogen network in the Netherlands, which will be a great boost for the transition towards a more sustainable energy system," said Gasunie CEO Han Fennema.

The Dutch government has been discussing the idea of a hydrogen transportation network for years, but concrete steps towards building it have accelerated in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Two commercial consortiums have announced plans in the past two months to build hydrogen import terminals in the Port of Rotterdam.

Plans outlined by Jetten included making use of part of the 20 gigawatts worth of wind farms planned or under construction in the Dutch North Sea by 2030 as a source of green energy that can be used to produce hydrogen.