AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Dutch natural gas grid operator Gasunie announced on Monday that it plans to invest approximately 12 billion euros ($13 billion) by 2030 to accelerate the country’s energy transition and prevent key industries from leaving the Netherlands.
A significant portion of this investment, about two-thirds, will be directed toward infrastructure for sustainable gases such as hydrogen and biomethane, as well as ongoing carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.
The company highlighted that the share of its investments in what it considers “green projects” has risen sharply, from 20% to 45% over the past year.
“Gasunie is taking bold steps towards a future where sustainable gases and green electricity complement each other,” the company said.
Dutch industries have voiced concerns about the high energy costs and the challenges they face in making their production processes more sustainable. The rapid growth of solar and wind power has resulted in congestion on the national electricity grid, while efforts to develop sustainable hydrogen production have faced delays.
Gasunie CEO Willemien Terpstra urged both the industrial sector and the government to collaborate, ensuring that businesses can transition away from fossil fuels without losing their competitive edge.
“The Netherlands is at a critical juncture, where the future will reveal whether we can achieve sustainability with our industries or without them,” Terpstra stated. “Gasunie is committed to doing everything possible to keep vital industries in the country.”