Together with the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC), the Indo-German Energy Forum Support Office (IGEF-SO) organised an Indian business delegation to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany from 7 to 13 May 2023 on the topic of green hydrogen. The tour featured a visit to the World Hydrogen Summit & Exhibition, which took place from 9 to 11 May 2023 in Rotterdam.

The first day of the delegation in the city of Brussels focused on the EU's sustainability criteria for green hydrogen and what implications these have on India’s green hydrogen strategy. Mr. Tobias Winter, Director, IGEF-SO and Mr. Frank Mischler, PtX-Hub, GIZ presented various aspects of sustainable green hydrogen production and consumption in Europe. Mr. Arthur Daemers, Policy Advisor, SolarPower Europe, gave an overview of European developments in green hydrogen from a solar industry perspective. The role of hydrogen in the European energy transition was discussed by Mr. Mauricio Belaunde, Project Manager EU Hydrogen Policy, Agora Energiewende. To gain a better insight into the European requirements and sustainability criteria, the Indian delegation had the possibility to meet and exchange with Mr. Ruud Kempener, Member of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. With Mr. Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO, Hydrogen Europe, the participants discussed the industry perspective on European market ramp-up and sustainability criteria.

In Rotterdam, the delegates were able to get a first-hand impression of green hydrogen developments in Europe. The tour around the Port of Rotterdam included a stop at ammonia terminals of Koole, OCI and Gunvor, the visit of an offshore-wind transformer station for green hydrogen production and a stop at the “Conversion Park” development site including electrolyser projects by Shell, BP and Air Liquide. Lastly, the tour ended with an impression of SIF Offshore wind foundation manufacturing and storage site with impression on GE Haliade-X 14 MW wind turbine.

On 10 May, a guided tour at the World Hydrogen Exhibition enabled the delegation to network with experts from companies with special interest in India who presented their activities and explored possibilities for future collaboration and exchange between the respective companies.

On the occasion of the visit of two Indian delegations with high-ranked representatives from the Government of India and green hydrogen companies, a networking lunch was organised by IGEF-SO in cooperation with IGCC, the Government of the Netherlands, the Embassy of India in the Netherlands and energiewächter. Participating companies and institutions expressed their interest in Indo-EU green hydrogen cooperations and gave insights into present project developments and future ideas. In the evening, participants had the chance to interact with each other and discuss further on green hydrogen project development in India.

After visiting the World Hydrogen Summit, part of the group travelled to Essen to visit the H2 Centre in Herten. The centre is a former coal mine where modern systems and components of the hydrogen infrastructure can be tested. Mr. Dieter Kwapis, Project Lead H2-Herten, led the tour and various technical experts gave insights into the ongoing projects.  

Overall, the tour offered participants the opportunity to take a detailed look at various developments in the green hydrogen sector in Europe. The visit to the World Hydrogen Exhibition also allowed participants to network and explore new opportunities for further cooperation.