Shell Hydrogen Projects
Shell is developing largescale hydrogen production projects, such as Holland Hydrogen I and REFHYNE 2, to produce renewable hydrogen that helps decarbonise industrial operations and supports the global energy transition.
Shell is building a credible renewable hydrogen business grounded in delivery, not just ambition. We already have REFHYNE 1 producing renewable hydrogen, and we have taken multiple Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) that are being translated into real-world progress. At both REFHYNE 2 in Germany and Holland Hydrogen I in the Netherlands, steel is in the ground and construction is nearing completion.
Our approach focuses on integrating low-carbon hydrogen into our Energy and Chemicals Parks, enabling captive demand to kickstart scale, while also developing export hubs and strategic infrastructure to serve heavy industry and transport. With technological innovation, and targeted investment and collaboration, we are translating potential into tangible outcomes, helping shape the future hydrogen market.
Shell Hydrogen Projects
Holland Hydrogen I
Holland Hydrogen I (HH1) is Shell’s flagship renewable hydrogen project currently under construction in the Netherlands. Powered by offshore wind from the Hollandse Kust Noord farm, its 200 MW electrolyser will produce around 60 tonnes of hydrogen per day. This hydrogen will initially help support the reduction of emissions at Shell Pernis, replacing a portion of fossil-based hydrogen in refining processes.
Holland Hydrogen 1 takes shape
HH1 will be one of Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plants when operational. We expect to start commissioning in late 2026, with production ramp-up in 2027.
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: Holland Hydrogen 1 Construction Timelapse
Duration: 0:24 minutes
Description:
A short timelapse video shows the ongoing construction of the Holland Hydrogen 1 renewable hydrogen plant in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Drone footage and construction timelapse imagery highlight the large industrial site, showing buildings, scaffolding, equipment installation, and surrounding offshore wind turbines while on-screen text explains the project’s progress and significance.
Holland Hydrogen 1 Construction Timelapse Transcript
[Background music plays]
No background music or notable sound is audible.
[Text displays]
In Rotterdam in the Netherlands...
...we continue building
Holland Hydrogen 1.
The highest point has been reached
and construction is progressing steadily.
One of Europe’s largest
renewable hydrogen plants.
Powered by offshore wind.
This is how we are shaping the
future of renewable hydrogen.
[Visuals]
Aerial drone footage shows a large industrial construction site near the coastline in Rotterdam. Large rectangular buildings, storage areas, and construction equipment are visible. Offshore wind turbines stand in the distance across the water.
The view shifts to a closer aerial angle of the facility. A large white industrial building with a blue roof sits beside roads and rail tracks. Surrounding areas contain construction materials, cranes, and temporary structures.
A timelapse view shows a massive building under construction. Scaffolding surrounds a tall structure while cranes and workers move around the site. The sky changes rapidly between cloudy and brighter conditions, indicating the passage of time.
Another angle shows the same building as exterior structures and frameworks become more complete. Construction activity continues around the base of the structure.
The scene cuts to a detailed view of large cylindrical equipment units installed on an elevated metal framework surrounded by scaffolding.
A high aerial shot reveals the full scale of the site, showing the large main building, surrounding infrastructure, and multiple industrial units arranged across the facility.
The camera transitions to a slightly different overhead view highlighting the size of the complex compared with nearby roads and industrial areas.
A closer view shows a smaller building with bright green vertical panels on its exterior beside the larger structures.
The drone camera moves to frame the central industrial installation with wind turbines clearly visible in the background near the coastline.
The final aerial shot looks down at the large rectangular building and surrounding equipment, emphasizing the scale of the facility as the project message about renewable hydrogen appears on screen.
REFHYNE 2
In 2024, Shell took final investment decision (FID) on REFHYNE 2: a 100 MW PEM electrolyser at our Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland. Scheduled to start up in 2027, it is expected to produce up to 44 tonnes of hydrogen per day (dependent on the availability of renewable power) to partially decarbonise site operations. Powered by renewable electricity, the hydrogen produced will be EU certified, enabling Shell Rheinland to claim RED credit value in the biggest fuel market in Europe.
REFHYNE 2 coming to life
The REFHYNE 2 project has been enabled by supportive policies, including the European Union’s (EU) binding targets for the use of renewable hydrogen, and the German Federal Government’s regulatory framework. The project has also received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Read the transcript
Read the transcript
Title: R2 – 16 Month Timelapse
Duration: 1:41 minutes
Description:
This video is a construction timelapse showing sixteen months of progress on the REFHYNE 2 hydrogen project at a large industrial refinery site.
From a fixed elevated viewpoint overlooking an operating refinery complex, the video shows groundwork, structural steel, building frames, facade panels, and roof sections being installed over time. Month labels and milestone captions appear on screen as the site develops from foundations into completed industrial buildings.
R2 – 16 Month Timelapse Transcript
[Background music plays]
Instrumental background music plays throughout the video. No spoken dialogue or other significant sounds are apparent.
[Visuals]
The video opens with a wide timelapse view from a fixed elevated camera overlooking a large construction site located within an operating refinery complex. Towers, pipelines, and industrial equipment are visible in the background. The construction area consists of leveled ground, excavations, and concrete foundation zones. Construction vehicles and workers move rapidly through the site in timelapse.
[Text displays]
December
[Visuals]
The site is in an early stage of construction. Concrete foundation areas and excavated zones are visible across the site. Machinery moves materials while workers and vehicles travel between different sections of the construction area.
[Text displays]
February
First floors already in progress
[Visuals]
The first structural levels begin forming across several rectangular building footprints. Concrete floor slabs and vertical supports appear. Cranes move equipment and materials as construction activity increases across the site.
[Text displays]
April
First floors of the electrolyser buildings completed
[Visuals]
The first floors of multiple connected buildings appear complete. The structural layout of the electrolyser buildings is now clearly visible. Construction vehicles continue moving materials and equipment around the site.
[Text displays]
June
Framing underway on the water purification unit
[Visuals]
A large steel frame structure begins to rise on one section of the site, identified as the water purification unit. Structural steel beams form the skeleton of the building while cranes lift additional components into position.
[Text displays]
August
Façade panel installation in progress
[Visuals]
Exterior wall panels begin covering the steel framework of the buildings. Large sections of grey facade panels are installed, partially enclosing the structure. The buildings start to appear more complete and enclosed.
[Text displays]
October
Preparation and installation of first roof sections
[Visuals]
Large roof sections are lifted into place by cranes and installed along the top of the buildings. The structures begin to take on their final form as rooflines develop.
[Text displays]
December
[Visuals]
Construction continues as additional exterior elements and roof components are installed. The buildings now appear largely enclosed and structurally complete within the larger refinery environment.
[Text displays]
February
The last roof section is placed and the distinctive roofline is completed
[Visuals]
The final roof section is lifted into place, completing the roofline of the facility. The finished buildings stand within the industrial landscape of the refinery complex. The timelapse concludes with the completed structures visible among surrounding refinery infrastructure.
Co-funded by the European Union
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement Number 101036970
REFHYNE I
Located at Shell’s Energy and Chemicals Park Rheinland in Germany, REFHYNE I, is one of the largest PEM electrolysers in Europe. Operational since 2021, the 10 MW unit produces 1,300 tonnes of renewable hydrogen a year. This project marked a key early milestone in our strategy, helping to validate the technology and inform future investment decisions like REFHYNE 2.
Other Shell hydrogen Initiatives
R&D and innovation
Shell is investing in cutting-edge hydrogen technology to help reduce costs and enable global trade.
Heavy-duty transport
We operate hydrogen refuelling stations for buses and trucks in Europe and the US, aiming to help reduce emissions from heavy-duty transport.
Disclaimers
*Refers to renewable hydrogen and decarbonised hydrogen
