North Sea Canal Area Energy Transition

As a port area and an industrial cluster, the North Sea Canal Area is an important link within the Netherlands BV. Large flows of energy and raw materials enter the area by sea and are processed, stored and transshipped here to be transported. The North Sea Canal Area thus fulfills a crucial hub function from which the rest of the Netherlands and Northwestern Europe is served and meets their needs for energy and raw materials. In addition, many energy infrastructures pass through the Noorzeekanaal area. For example, the area has a number of important high-voltage grid nodes -HS stations- for the drainage of electricity production from the current power stations in the area and for the supply to large electricity users. With the backbone of natural gas through the area, CO2 sources, and other infrastructures such as waterways, roads and railways, the North Sea Canal Area can play an important role in the energy transition of the Netherlands and thus also towards a sustainable Netherlands BV. In addition, this area is being looked at expressly for landing the energy infrastructure from offshore wind farms.

The North Sea canal area as a port area and industrial cluster will have to be transformed towards a greener energy hub in 2050 in order to be able to achieve large CO2 reductions but also to increase the future-proofness of the area. This resilience is essential to be able to continue to fulfill its hub function in the changing world. With this, the North Sea Canal Area clearly takes its place in the Dutch energy system.

Making multiple energy infrastructures future-proof and robust whereby exchange can also take place between the different infrastructures seems to be the best strategy for both the short and the long term. In addition, it will also have to be explored whether exchange and synergy is possible within (and between) other clusters in the Netherlands, and which types of energy infrastructures fit in with this.