Wind meets Gas from an expert perspective
By Tatiana Block – Senior Project Manager, Research & Innovation team, New Energy Coalition
The 2024 Wind Meets Gas Symposium brought together energy leaders, innovators, knowledge institutions and policymakers to explore solutions for the complex challenges of energy security, sustainability, and the growing role of hydrogen. This year’s discussions delved into financing strategies, market enablement, and preparing future generations for a green energy landscape. The event brought together attendees from across Europe and beyond, including high-profile representatives as the ambassadors from Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, and Norway, beside diplomats from Estonia, Poland, and Sweden. In this article, I will share my experience as an attendee and share highlights and key takeaways of the two days event.
Wind meets Gas day one
The first day addressed one of today’s most pressing challenges: bringing innovative ideas and projects to execution. The main theme of the day, “From Mind to Matter,” was introduced by Marieke Abbink-Pellenbarg, CEO of New Energy Coalition. Specific topics were also presented, such as advancing the integration of wind and gas (clean hydrogen and CO2) infrastructure, fostering innovation in hydrogen production, storage, and applications, and ensuring that investments in green hydrogen projects are financially viable. The symposium’s emphasis on collaboration highlighted the need for both electrification and low carbon molecules, with Gasunie’s CEO, Willemien Terpstra, stressing that neither can drive the energy transition alone. The need for a dual approach to mitigate climate change and strengthen energy security in Europe was a resounding theme throughout the event.
Another highlight was the Nordic Investment Bank presentation about what makes an innovative hydrogen projects bankable. There insights revealed that the primary limiting factor to secure financing is the off-take contract—specifically, the volume and duration required to fulfil requirements. Green hydrogen producers are not directly selling hydrogen as a commodity but are instead using it to produce marketable products like green fertilisers and e-fuels, which strengthens the business case.
The presentation from the executive director of Copenhagen infrastructure partners provided three clear messages about the production of hydrogen: By 2050, about fifty percent of hydrogen demand may be supplied by both the North and Baltic Sea and offshore wind will be a key source for its production. Hydrogen produced offshore (using offshore wind energy) will be cheaper than onshore hydrogen production. For that to happen, the development of power production and hydrogen offshore and inland transport infrastructure is needed.
I was particularly inspired by the progress in Nordic projects, with examples from Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, where renewable energy and hydrogen integration are advancing rapidly, creating scalable and commercially viable hydrogen markets across the region. The panel addressed the unique financial needs of green hydrogen ventures, discussing models that reduce risk for investor, engage communities and stimulate the end use of hydrogen in different sectors while driving forward the technologies needed to meet climate targets.
During the day, many other sessions were held in which advancements and experiences in northern Europe were shared on topics such as hydrogen infrastructure in the Netherlands (HyDelta project) and the North Sea (North Sea Energy project), cross-border hydrogen transport and storage, its use in the built environment, and social engagement. The event provided a great platform for networking and business development in the energy sector through matchmaking sessions. Additionality, two major announcements among others, for the North of the Netherlands region were made by New Energy Coalition:
1) The release of the report “Essay on the current and potential future energy exchange relations between the Nordics and Baltics (Northern Flank of Europe, NFoE) and Northwest Europe, and the Netherlands in particular” prepared by Prof. Em. Catrinus J. Jepma (Senior Advisor, New Energy Coalition) and Miralda van Schot (Strategy advisor, Port of Amsterdam). The document presents the prospective supply of clean and affordable energy from NFoE to Northwest Europe, especially the Netherlands, and stresses the need for cooperation, coordination, and information sharing to realise this potential.
2) The handing over of a prefeasability study on the greening potential for Industry Cluster East Groningen to the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth. This study, done by New Energy Coalition, reveals how hydrogen production from Eemshaven not only contributes to lower CO2 emissions, but also offers a new economic perspective for the region and could emerge as Europe’s first regional hydrogen cluster.
Wind meets Gas day two
On the second day the main topics were about the future infrastructure and space use requirements in the Seaports of Eemshaven/ Delfzijl, and the role that young leaders will play in the energy transition overall. On the latter, the necessity to cultivate a sustainability mindset among young professionals was highlighted. It provided them with the skillsets so innovative clean energy solutions can be created to address energy security and climate change. This will help the industry to develop an innovative workforce that will accelerate the energy transition into the future.
Overall, the necessity of cross-sectoral and cross-border cooperation is crucial in achieving a sustainable energy future was emphasized in the symposium and as shown by the examples from northern European nations, it can be done by aligning strategies in wind energy and gas infrastructure development. These examples also demonstrated that the development of such infrastructure, with the correct mix of innovative financial frameworks and policy support can create scalable and commercially viable hydrogen markets and stablish a sustainable energy ecosystem that benefits both society and the environment. Furthermore, with the commitment of industry leaders, knowledge institutions and the dedication of young professionals, it will be possible to turn ambitious goals into reality.
I look forward to seeing how these insights will inspire future projects and collaborations as we continue to advance the energy transition. Congratulations to my colleagues and partners who organised and delivered such a successful event!
