Tackling delay during the planning process of hydrogen pipeline infrastructure - The case of Groningen Seaports

Abstract

In the fight against global climate change, hydrogen is considered to be a promising source of renewable energy. Seaports play an important role in providing the necessary space to construct the required infrastructure for the production, storage and transportation of hydrogen. However, the planning of hydrogen infrastructure is often delayed by lengthy decision-making processes. This delay can be attributed to technological issues, conflicting interests leading to prolonged public engagement processes, and/or missing or unclear laws and regulations. Focusing on the case of a new hydrogen pipeline between the Eemshaven and the seaport of Delfzijl in the northern Netherlands, this research studies the nature of delay in the planning process, and will focus on reforms of institutions and regulations that could help to responsibly minimize delay in planning for this critical infrastructure. Focusing on interviews with sixteen key stakeholders, the results of this study provide a clear overview of the perception of delay, its causes, and possible solutions to speed up the planning process for hydrogen pipeline infrastructure in seaport areas.