The RH2INE-interview: Province of Gelderland
On a sunny Friday afternoon, I meet Joost Roeterdink from the Province of Gelderland in the digital meeting room of my Microsoft Teams app. Almost ready to start the weekend, but not before I subject him to the very first RH2INE interview. Here we go!
What is your Role within your organization and in the RH2INE network?
“I am Joost, working with the Province of Gelderland. I am part of the mobility team, where I have previously led the national working group for ‘Clean Energy Hubs,’ focusing on the roll-out of cleaner technologies for both road and inland shipping, including hydrogen, electric, and biofuel solutions.
Currently, I serve as the coordinator for logistics and freight transport in Gelderland. In this role, I work with a small team to drive the sustainability of freight transport. Our focus is on improving traffic flow and addressing bottlenecks for goods transportation.
We are a brand new steering member since the beginning of this year, although we we’re previously involved in the network as a partner.”
What is at the Heart of your decision to join RH2INE?
“Our main interest in RH2INE lies in contributing to the policy development for the decarbonization of inland shipping, which is important given Gelderland’s strategic location with its many ports and rivers. We are positioned between Rotterdam and the Ruhr area, and inland shipping plays a significant role in our province’s transport sector. Therefore, collaborating internationally to decarbonize inland shipping aligns with our goals for both air quality and CO2 reduction.
Our involvement in RH2INE helps us align with other initiatives and engage in effective policy development with both the national government and European partners.”
About Innovation and industry: what other initiatives are being deployed in your region?
“In Gelderland, there are several initiatives focusing on hydrogen, especially in the industrial sector, which we believe holds great potential for hydrogen applications. One notable example is at the industrial park at Kleefse Waard, where numerous innovative companies working on hydrogen technologies are gathered in a campus-like setting.
In Nijmegen, there is also the Engie location, situated near the Waal, where new business areas are being developed with opportunities for hydrogen-related ventures. Additionally, the Brick Valley initiative, which focuses on brick factories, is another example of the industry exploring hydrogen solutions to help these factories transition towards more sustainable operations. The province is actively involved in this as well.
Furthermore, we have a network of logistics brokers who advise businesses on sustainability opportunities in the six regions of Gelderland. We also have a modal shift advisor to assist companies in shifting from road transport to water and rail, which is part of our broader sustainability efforts.
Our team is very active in advancing clean energy hubs, and we are working to establish a comprehensive network in Gelderland. So, there are several initiatives across the province contributing to the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies.”
What New opportunities or horizons do you foresee with hydrogen in the coming years?
“Looking ahead, I hope we will make significant progress with hydrogen initiatives, particularly in identifying and developing promising locations for hydrogen deployment. By 2030, I envision that the first key hydrogen hubs at the Rhine will have been established, with both public and private investments shaping a robust infrastructure for hydrogen in the province.
However, one of the challenges we face is the cost of scaling up hydrogen, which still requires additional financial support. To improve the business case, it may be beneficial to explore multi-use clean energy hubs, where different sectors or companies can share resources and reduce costs. Finding ways to make these business models more attractive is crucial.
At the same time, I see opportunities for collaboration with municipalities like Nijmegen, which is actively exploring hydrogen solutions. If we can establish a comprehensive network for inland shipping by creating reliable refuelling stations at key locations, we will have made a significant step forward. For this to happen, more policy work is needed to make the business case more compelling for a wider range of stakeholders. While a few early adopters are already making moves, I believe we need broader involvement to truly scale hydrogen use in inland shipping.
To accelerate this, it requires coordinated action at the European level to push forward the decarbonization of inland shipping. Ultimately, the key to success will be improving the economics of hydrogen and making it a more viable option for a larger group of businesses.”
What is the most Essential takeaway you'd like to share about being part of RH2INE?
“The most essential takeaway is that collaboration is key. No single party can achieve success in hydrogen for inland shipping on their own. It’s clear that everyone involved needs to work together. That’s what I really appreciate about the RH2INE initiative—it brings together a broad network of stakeholders, all sharing the same goal of advancing hydrogen solutions.
It’s also a journey of experimentation, and I think it’s great that RH2INE is not afraid to take bold steps, like the tank trainer pool initiative. I really admire the willingness to take risks and demonstrate commitment to the cause. This kind of collective effort is what will ultimately make progress possible—by sticking together and pushing forward as one network.”
Those are very inspiring words to end on. Thank you for the conversation, Joost. See you in the RH2INE corridors!