ACM publishes explanation of new rules regarding third-party access to hydrogen terminals

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has published Q&As, explaining the new rules regarding third-party access to hydrogen terminals. As the regulator-designate for hydrogen infrastructure, ACM believes it is important to clarify the rules for market participants. This can contribute to investment certainty and thus facilitate the emergence of a hydrogen import supply chain in the Netherlands. This contributes to an acceleration of the energy transition.

Third-party access means hydrogen terminal operators must offer access to the capacity of their hydrogen terminals to users (potential or otherwise). From 2025, hydrogen terminal operators are required, under new European rules, to offer third-party access to their hydrogen terminals.

The Netherlands is obliged to introduce a system of negotiated third-party access. Such access means that hydrogen terminal operators are responsible for making agreements with users (potential or otherwise) of their terminals about the conditions and tariffs for third-party access. Both parties are obliged to negotiate in good faith. General principles such as transparency and non-discrimination principles apply, too.

Hydrogen terminals are installations were hydrogen carriers such as ammonia are offloaded and transformed into gaseous hydrogen. This hydrogen can subsequently be transported to users (industrial or otherwise) using a hydrogen network.

See also

19-12-2023 ACM publishes hydrogen paper on the dilemmas in the roll-out of hydrogen infrastructure (in Dutch)