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Utilities
The availability of industrial utilities and facilities, such as water, steam, green and standard electricity, compressed air, data and residual substances, is becoming increasingly important as a location factor.
Groningen Seaports recognised this early on and has been investing in public utilities since 2005. As a result, companies can operate more sustainably and economically and are able to focus on their core business. In recent years the main focus has been on green raw materials, product processing, and CO2 reduction. Reducing CO2 emissions calls for making connections (cables and pipelines), the development of other production methods, and more use of biomass, as well as the use of more green energy.
NorthGrid
NorthGrid sets out to promote cooperation in the development of underground infrastructure in the northern Netherlands. A large number of new underground connections will be laid here in the future. They could be used to transport heat, hydrogen, and green hydrogen to supply homes with energy and, for circular industrial water or CO2 to make industry more sustainable. NorthGrid is the trade name of the foundation Stichting UFO BED, which has existed since 2009. NorthGrid operates under a supervisory board, and is advised by an advisory council with a broad representation of businesses, government bodies, and institutions from the region.
Underground transport is the future
The Netherlands has more than 18,000 kilometres of pipelines to transport hazardous substances (natural gas, oil products and chemicals) and more than 100,000 kilometres of pipelines to transport water and drinking water. This pipeline network is vital to the safe transport of products needed in our day-to-day lives, our energy supply, and to keep industry running. Pipeline transport is a safe, silent, and environmentally friendly way of transporting large volumes of products with minimal inconvenience to the surrounding area during the usage phase.
Kick-starter
NorthGrid is the driver and leader of an initiative to kick-start the improved sustainability of industry in the northern Netherlands. Together with the members of the advisory council, NorthGrid works on creating a pipe bundle that will shortly (by the end of 2026) connect Eemshaven with the Chemical Park Delfzijl.
This pipe bundle contains 2 relatively small pipes (15 cm diameter) that will be low-pressure pipes (< 16 bar). The idea is for these pipes to transport hydrogen to start with. Later – when the national hydrogen grid is complete – these pipes can be used to transport different products. This creates circular chains between the two regions for the benefit of making this region even greener.
Contact us
For questions or more information about Utilities
Arno Wegman
Business developer utilities
