As part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s support of the developing wind-hydrogen industry in the province, John Hogan, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Port of Amsterdam. The signing took place during the World Hydrogen 2025 Summit and Exhibition in Rotterdam earlier this week.
The memorandum of understanding is a high-level agreement to collaborate and share information on green hydrogen issues, opportunities, and potential projects. Joining Premier Hogan was the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology and Minister Responsible for Trade Opportunities, and Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director, Port of Amsterdam. This mirror agreement complements the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s partnership with the Port of Rotterdam in a collaboration to improve the efficiency and sustainability of Dutch ports.
Attending the signing were representatives from Evos, a developer of large-scale hydrogen import facilities at the Port, and North Atlantic Refining Limited, which is developing a wind to hydrogen project for the export of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers, a hydrogen derivative, to ports in Europe including Amsterdam.
The MOU proposes the following specific areas of cooperation:
- Exploring the commercial opportunity and scale of future green hydrogen import markets via the port into the Netherlands and other areas of northwestern Europe, to support the development of Newfoundland and Labrador’s green hydrogen export market.
- Assessing the potential for international supply chains between the province and the port for green hydrogen, including identifying and assessing existing barriers (e.g., legal, regulatory gaps, costs) and sharing information that could help mitigate such barriers.
- Working collaboratively to unlock private sector and Federal Government investment in joint projects/initiatives related to international green hydrogen supply chains.
- Identifying opportunities to collaborate and share knowledge and best practices in key areas (e.g., port development, infrastructure and management, engaging stakeholders, post-secondary institutions, and other commercial and governmental parties).
As highlighted in the Hydrogen Development Action Plan, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes the economic development opportunities associated with enabling a green hydrogen industry in the province. Due to its abundant resources and other competitive advantages such as an already highly renewable energy grid, and proximity to Europe, Newfoundland and Labrador currently has six wind hydrogen projects in development. Europe is a key export market for the province’s green hydrogen as the European Union and several member countries have outlined hydrogen as a way to achieve energy security and climate change goals.
(Dreamstime photo of Port of Amsterdam)