Key elements such as efficient storage systems and integrated grid networks are essential to ensuring the hydrogen market is both reliable and scalable. As heavy industry moves towards electrification and the appetite for clean energy grows, developing robust hydrogen infrastructure becomes even more vital for addressing these emerging energy demands. Innovative approaches, like the use of salt caverns, depleted gas fields, and offshore hydrogen hubs, are set to play significant roles in balancing the supply of renewable energy.
Overcoming regulatory and financial hurdles depends largely on successful collaboration between public and private sectors. Public-private partnerships will be instrumental in unlocking hydrogen’s promise and accelerating the energy transition.
From a legal perspective, support is needed across Corporate, Regulatory, and Property law. This includes the structuring of partnerships, facilitation of investments in complex infrastructure, and securing of ownership and usage rights for storage locations such as salt caverns and depleted gas fields.
Further, anticipating new regulations for hydrogen transport, cross-border energy exchanges, and environmental standards is essential. By identifying legal risks early and crafting effective legal frameworks, we help lay the groundwork for a sustainable and resilient hydrogen economy.
Hydrogen Storage
Hydrogen storage is a cornerstone of a well-functioning hydrogen market. While batteries offer short-term energy storage, they are not suitable for storing large amounts of energy over extended periods. This is where hydrogen makes a difference. Using depleted gas fields and salt caverns for hydrogen storage provides an effective solution for long-term energy needs. Companies like Gasunie, a leader in gas transport and storage, are actively adapting their infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen, especially in offshore storage and grid management.
Salt caverns, created by dissolving underground salt deposits, form secure spaces for gas storage. These are being developed in the northern Netherlands, where the geology is ideal. Salt caverns provide reliable short-term storage and can respond rapidly to demand, though their overall capacity is limited. Repurposing them for hydrogen is a complex process that spans several years. For long-term storage, depleted gas fields—former natural gas reservoirs—offer much greater capacity and serve as vital reserves for balancing supply and demand. Reusing these fields for hydrogen is a cost-effective and dependable way to support the hydrogen market.
Storing hydrogen presents legal challenges across environmental law, energy regulation, spatial planning, and property law. Issues like permitting, safety standards, and liability must be clearly addressed. Repurposing infrastructure raises questions about ownership, access rights, and long-term responsibility, requiring a coordinated legal approach across sectors and regions. With successful pilot projects underway, the outlook for hydrogen storage is promising, provided the right technologies and strategies are in place.
Offshore Hydrogen Hubs
The North Sea is becoming an important region for hydrogen infrastructure. Its shallow waters and strong winds make it ideal for offshore wind farms, which generate the renewable energy needed for green hydrogen production. Projects led by Gasunie and Tennet are developing two 2 GW hydrogen hubs in the North Sea. One hub will connect wind farms directly to the mainland grid, and the other will convert renewable electricity into hydrogen.
This integrated energy system is crucial as clean energy demand grows. The aim is to link production, storage, and use, creating a connected network where hydrogen can be efficiently transported and used as a dependable energy source. These hubs will help meet energy needs in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries. The “2x2 GW” model, which combines wind-to-grid and wind-to-hydrogen systems, delivers flexibility and scalability, making it a vital piece of the hydrogen infrastructure. As more offshore wind energy comes online, this approach will become even more central to the entire energy system.
Public-Private Partnerships
Developing hydrogen infrastructure quickly and effectively relies on collaboration between the public and private sectors. The Netherlands’ National Hydrogen Program (Nationaal Waterstof Programma) is a good example of how such partnerships can encourage progress and innovation. By bringing together public agencies and private companies, the program addresses regulatory challenges and funding needs while advancing hydrogen infrastructure. Aligning stakeholder interests, particularly at the political level, helps create essential regulatory frameworks. A major development is the revision of the Dutch Energy Act, which will take effect in January 2026 and include measures for hydrogen transport, storage, and distribution. This regulatory update lays a solid foundation for sustainable growth in the hydrogen market.
Looking forward
The hydrogen market is undergoing rapid change, and infrastructure is at the heart of this evolution. With new storage options like salt caverns and depleted gas fields, and innovative offshore hydrogen hubs, the future for hydrogen looks bright. As technology advances and public-private cooperation increases, the groundwork is being laid for a robust, sustainable hydrogen economy. While challenges remain, the path forward is clear: with the right infrastructure, hydrogen can play a pivotal role in the global energy transition.
How can we help?
The hydrogen market is poised for growth with new infrastructure and supportive policies, offering opportunities in sustainable energy and industry investment.
We help clients navigate legal and regulatory complexities in, from compliance and permitting to contracts and risk management. By advising on infrastructure projects and facilitating partnerships, we enable clients to capitalise on emerging opportunities and thrive in the evolving energy market.
