Port of Amsterdam’s North Sea Canal Area to reduce emissions by 50%

Companies based in the North Sea Canal Area at the Port of Amsterdam aim to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030, bringing them down from the current level of 15 megatons. All waste flows must be recycled by 2050 and carbon emissions limited. To achieve these targets, the area aims to be among the leading regions in Europe when it comes to addressing climate change.

That was decided during the Regional Climate Convention for Industry in the North Sea Canal Area. Examples of ideas submitted to contribute to the Climate Agreement include:

• Electrification of virtually all industries, as an alternative to gas;
• Carbon capture at Tata Steel, AEB Amsterdam and HVC Groep in order to supply this carbon to growers and use it, combined with hydrogen, as a basic ingredient in the chemical industry. Carbon storage will be required in order to facilitate the latter over the long term (this would involve partial and temporary storage subject to strict terms);
• Large-scale production of renewable hydrogen in order to produce synthetic fuels using carbon;
• Use of waste heat and the generation of heat using geothermal resources, soil energy and biomass.

In addition, according to calculations, the industrial demand for electricity will be four times bigger over the next 10 years. To be ready for this growing demand, grid operators intend to strengthen the electricity infrastructure and build a hydrogen and carbon grid, as well as a heat grid to heat homes and greenhouses.

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Moreover, the industrial partners have concluded to seven strategic objectives to ensure the availability of an adequate infrastructure and the timely issue of permits. These are:

1. Eliminating the use of natural gas in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area: producing renewable heat and green gas as alternatives to natural gas;
2. Zero-emission transport: facilitating electricity and a charging infrastructure, hydrogen and biofuels or synthetic fuels, plus storage, transport and distribution systems;
3. Waste is a resource: recycling of waste materials such as building materials, plastics, and biomass using biorefinery plants;
4. Sustainable energy generation: investing in offshore wind farms and renewable hydrogen and, where possible, high-temperature geothermal energy, including the development and maintenance required;
5. Renewable fuels: production, storage and transhipment of, and trade in, biofuels and synthetic fuels;
6. Circular industry: closing commodity loops and supplying sustainable products and high-quality technology to the global market, including steel;
7. Data centres: further developing, using circular economy principles, the Netherlands’ position as the leading European hub for data centres; this sector is expected to grow by 20% annually.

There is also going to be a second round of projects in September, which may be added into the agreement.

The partners in the Climate Convention will develop their plans over the next few months and decide, together with the government, which initiatives will receive government funding.

The final approval is expected in the autumn, after which the partners will sign the climate agreement and start implementing their plans, Regional Climate Convention Chairman, Tjerk Wagenaar, informed.