HyStock starts the Open Season for the first cavern for hydrogen storage

From 15 June to 14 July, market participants can reserve capacity in HyStock's hydrogen cavern A5 through an Open Season process. That is the first of the four caverns HyStock is developing in Zuidwending for large-scale hydrogen storage. During this period, market parties with a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) can sign a Reservation Agreement. Market parties who do not yet have a NDA with HyStock but would like to participate in the Open Season process can contact [email protected]. 

The capacity to be reserved consists of bundles with three components: a fixed composition of injection, withdrawal and storage capacity. By asking market participants to reserve capacity now, HyStock can offer these market participants certainty for their available capacity. Moreover, HyStock needs the commitment to make investment decisions that match market demand. An Open Season is an objective, transparent and non-discriminatory way to allow parties to reserve capacity.

HyStock, a subsidiary of Gasunie, is working in Zuidwending (close to Veendam) to develop a number of salt caverns for large-scale hydrogen storage. The A5 hydrogen cavern will store 216 GWh of hydrogen and is expected to be commissioned in 2028. The other three caverns will be realised after 2030.

In addition to the start of the Open Season process, hydrogen cavern A5, like the existing six natural gas storage caverns, has been declared technically suitable for gas storage as the seventh salt cavern. HyStock has also started the permit application process. Once all permits are obtained, the construction of the above-ground and underground plant and the laying of the approximately two-kilometer-long connecting pipeline to the national hydrogen network will start.