The Port of Rotterdam will host the world’s first large scale Battolyser factory to meet soaring demand for green hydrogen and electricity storage.

The 1 GW per annum Battolyser factory will be located in the M4H area, an industrial site in the heart of Rotterdam.

The cost of developing the 14,000 square metres production site is estimated to be about €100 million ($103.7 million).

Once fully operational it will require some 700 directly employed staff plus create up to four times as many indirect jobs with supply chain partners, according to the port’s recent statement.

“This partnership will develop the first industrial green hydrogen equipment manufacturing facility in The Netherlands,” said Mattijs Slee, CEO, Battolyser Systems.

“With our offshore wind potential, strong infrastructure and world class heavy industry, The Netherlands can now develop a sustainable and resilient energy system.”

A Battolyser can produce hydrogen from solar and wind when power prices are low and provide electricity to the grid when prices are high.

According to the company, its flexible and efficient system can alleviate grid congestion, enable the build-out of more solar and wind energy developments, and offer the lowest cost green hydrogen.

“In this industrial ecosystem, the Battolyser factory is expected to become an anchor for a new platform of companies committed to building a sustainable equipment manufacturing supply chain,” added Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam.

“Companies in the port are already actively working on projects regarding production, imports, shipping, storage, and use of green hydrogen.

“With this factory we add green hydrogen equipment manufacturing to that portfolio. This is of great value for the port’s ongoing efforts to decarbonise and facilitate sustainable industries for the future.”

The factory will act as Battolyser Systems’ headquarter and R&D centre, and will open during the second half of 2024.

A final investment decision is scheduled next year and requires private and public investments to compete internationally.

The Port of Rotterdam recently welcomed the first partners to the Container Exchange Route (CER).

The first transports over the track are slated to take place by the end of 2023.