Grid operator Gasunie has said it has begun construction of its hydrogen network in the Netherlands.

With a total length of 1,200km, the hydrogen network will establish connections between five industrial clusters within the country, neighbouring countries and hydrogen storage facilities, the firm said.

The Netherland’s King Willem-Alexander attended the inauguration, which took place in Rotterdam. A budget of $1.54bn has been set for the project, which will see the network largely repurposing existing gas infrastructure in the country.

The main section of the network is said to span 30km and is scheduled to link the Tweede Maasvlakte industrial park to Pernis. This section is expected to become operational in 2025.

According to a report, in tandem with the development of the network, import infrastructure is being established at multiple ports across the Netherlands, which will facilitate the arrival of hydrogen in various forms, positioning the country as a key distribution hub for neighbouring European countries, with a particular focus on Germany.