As nations accelerate efforts to scale low-emission hydrogen, global frontrunners like Japan and the Netherlands offer critical insights into building robust supply chains. At a recent International Energy Agency (IEA) workshop hosted by SINTEF, experts highlighted persistent challenges—high costs, infrastructure gaps, policy hurdles—and shared strategies to overcome them. Hydrogen, a versatile energy carrier, is central to decarbonizing industry, transport, and power generation. Yet commercialization remains slow due to regulatory delays, financial uncertainty, and weak demand signals. Japan, a pioneer with its 2017 national hydrogen strategy, is advancing support measures aligned with net-zero goals. The Netherlands, Europe’s second-largest hydrogen producer, aims to become a key import hub, launching initiatives like SHIPNL and forging international hydrogen corridors. However, projects face obstacles: insufficient financing, infrastructure bottlenecks, and high green hydrogen costs.
SINTEF, a leader in European hydrogen research, plays a pivotal role in IEA’s Task 50, analysing carbon intensity and cost structures. The workshop emphasized the urgency of investment decisions and the need to derisk projects to unlock hydrogen’s full potential. Collaboration between governments, industry, and research institutions is essential to bridge the gap between ambition and implementation. Without swift action, promising pilot projects risk stagnation.
The event underscored that while technical progress is evident, market readiness and policy alignment are lagging. Lessons from frontrunners must inform global strategies to ensure hydrogen’s role in a sustainable energy future.
Key Points:
- Hydrogen is vital for decarbonizing industry, transport, and energy.
- Japan and the Netherlands lead in hydrogen strategy and infrastructure.
- High costs, weak demand, and policy barriers hinder progress.
- SINTEF and IEA collaborate on Task 50 to analyse carbon intensity and costs.
- SHIPNL and hydrogen corridors aim to boost Dutch import capacity.
- Investment decisions are urgent; projects need derisking.
- Collaboration across sectors is essential for commercialization.
Global hydrogen supply chains face cost, infrastructure, and policy challenges, but lessons from Japan and the Netherlands offer pathways to accelerate deployment and commercialization.
