Rotterdam: energy

Rotterdam is a key player in national programs like the Dutch Energy Agreement and Climate Agreement, aligning local initiatives with the broader goals of sustainability and decarbonization. These efforts solidify its position as a leader in the global energy transition. Rotterdam’s energy cluster is a vibrant mix of traditional and innovative industries:

Traditional energy strengths

Petrochemical and refining powerhouse: the region hosts five major refineries, contributing significantly to oil and gas processing.
Established infrastructure: Rotterdam’s industrial landscape provides a strong foundation for energy-related logistics and distribution.

Innovative energy transition

Renewable energy leadership: offshore wind energy is a rapidly growing sector, with the Port of Rotterdam serving as a logistical hub for North Sea wind projects.
Hydrogen economy pioneer: Rotterdam is a frontrunner in green hydrogen production and distribution, with major projects driving industrial decarbonization, including the development of cutting-edge infrastructure for the production, storage, and distribution of hydrogen,.
Circular economy initiatives: the region is advancing waste-to-chemicals technologies and bio-based product development, such as sustainable aviation fuels. Companies like Neste and AVR are transforming waste into energy and bio-based products, advancing sustainable industrial production.

Rotterdam region's energy cluster is a dynamic powerhouse, seamlessly blending traditional fossil fuel industries with cutting-edge renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. Anchored by the Port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe, this cluster is a cornerstone of the continent's energy supply chain.

Traditional strengths and sustainable future

Traditional foundations: the region is home to major oil refineries and petrochemical plants, ensuring the reliability of Europe’s energy infrastructure.
Renewable energy growth: Rotterdam is at the forefront of the offshore wind revolution, with the port serving as a key hub for North Sea wind farm projects.

Innovation and collaboration

At the heart of Rotterdam’s energy cluster is a spirit of innovation and collaboration:

PORTHOS and ARAMIS Carbon Capture and Storage projects: aiming to significantly reduce industrial CO₂ emissions, this initiative exemplifies the cluster’s commitment to sustainability.
Research and Development Excellence: leading institutions like Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) and TNO provide cutting-edge research and a steady pipeline of talent, ensuring continuous technological advancement.

Rotterdam’s industrial energy cluster is more than a key player in today’s energy landscape—it is a global leader shaping the future of energy. With its unique balance of traditional strengths and forward-looking initiatives, the cluster is setting the standard for innovation and sustainability in the energy sector.

Rotterdam’s success in the energy sector is bolstered by its robust knowledge ecosystem, powered by leading institutions driving research and innovation:

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft): leader in offshore wind, hydrogen, and sustainable transitions research.
Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO): focused on cutting-edge energy technologies like carbon capture and green hydrogen.
Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR):providing insights into energy management, policy, and economics through its Rotterdam School of Management, which offers the Executive Leadership Energy Transition Program.

The Port of Rotterdam is not just a logistical hub but also a driver of energy innovation:

PORTHOS and ARAMIS: Carbon Capture and Strorage initiaportxltives: capturing and storing carbon emissions to reduce industrial impact.
Hydrogen Infrastructure Projects: laying the groundwork for a hydrogen-based economy.
PortXL Accelerator: Supporting startups that bring transformative energy solutions to the forefront.

With its combination of traditional strengths, innovative projects, and a thriving knowledge ecosystem, Rotterdam is cementing its position as a global leader in sustainable energy. From cutting-edge hydrogen initiatives to renewable energy logistics, Rotterdam is at the heart of the energy transition, setting the standard for a sustainable future.

TU Delft Electrical Sustainable Power Lab (ESB Lab)
Expertise centre, fieldlab
In the Electrical Sustainable Power Lab (ESP Lab for short), researchers, companies, policy makers and business developers work together on the most crucial energy issues of our time. It is the ideal place where our electricity grid is being prepared for the future.
Website
Duurzaamheidsfabriek
Fieldlab
De Duurzaamheidsfabriek (The Sustainability Factory) is the heart of the open innovation network of the Drechtsteden, situated just to the South of Rotterdam. With its unique dynamics and facilities, this hub offers space for (lifelong) learning, working and innovation. Arranged and coincidental encounters, between education and business – from start-ups to global players – and between entrepreneurs, lead to innovative insights, projects and products in the field of smart technology, robotics, ICT and sustainable exploitation. Through the structural connection with partners in the ‘triple helix’, De Duurzaamheidsfabriek can effectively guide promising innovative projects to financing and guide them through further development and scaling up by making the right connections.
Website (Dutch)
Fieldlab Industrial Electrification
Fieldlab
The Fieldlab is an initiative of 5 founding partners to support the energy transition in the Rotterdam Industrial Port Area in a practical way. With the Fieldlab, we offer concrete solutions and unite ambitious companies that want to meet climate goals by exploring and implementing electrification solutions.
Website
Green Village Fieldlab Sustainable Innovation
Fieldlab
A sustainable future requires innovative ideas and new usable methods and techniques. At The Green Village, knowledge and educational institutions, businesses, governments and citizens research, experiment, validate and demonstrate their sustainable innovations. The Green Village is a low-regulation “open-air laboratory” on the TU Delft Campus with a focus on the built environment where testing can be carried out at district, street and building level. With access to the TU Delft innovation ecosystem, science is literally around the corner. People live, work and learn there.
Website (Dutch)
Plant One
Test centre
Plant One is a forward-thinking company and test centre that bridges the gap between the chemical industry and nature. With state-of-the-art facilities, Plant One offers not only space, but also expertise, a safe environment, people and materials to bring groundbreaking ideas to life. On its site, you'll find a number of test pilots. These pilots represent various stages of development, from lab level to fully operational plants. Some pilots have already reached the stage of development where they can be considered complete installations.
Website (Dutch)
Platform Zero
Expertise centre
Platform Zero focuses on the opportunities around sustainable energy, the maritime transformation and all that contributes to a positive planet. This includes opportunities around energy production, storage, transportation and trade, but also opportunities around hydrogen, batteries, methanol and more.
Website
TU Delft Citizens and Society in the Energy Transition (CaSET) lab
Expertise centre
The Citizens and Society in the Energy Transition (CaSET) lab investigates the ethical, legal and societal implications of the role of AI in the future energy system and the transition to this future. The main objectives of the lab are thus aligned with the NLAIC agenda on Energy & Sustainability. CaSET moreover provides trans-disciplinary, fundamental insights on generalisable factors and processes that affect the efficiency, value-aligned utility and trustworthiness of AI.
Website
TU Delft Powerweb Institute
Expertise centre
The mission of the PowerWeb institute is to accelerate the energy transition by enabling intelligent, integrated, and inclusive energy systems. The institute does this by bringing together experts to conduct research, education and outreach around these three teams.
Website
Deltalinqs
Networking organisation and innovation advocacy
Deltalinqs promotes the common interests of over 95% of all logistic, ports and industrial enterprises in the mainport Rotterdam. Deltalinqs strives to strengthen Rotterdam’s competitiveness, sustainable growth and social and political acceptability for all activities within the port and industrial area; all for the benefit of our members. Deltalinqs’s general principles are entrepreneurship and innovation and has clustered its interests representation in relation to six themes: business climate, energy & raw materials transition, infrastructure & accessibility, environment & sustainability, education & employment and safety & security.
Website
PortXL
Accelerator
PortXL was founded in 2015 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands with the vision of cultivating a spirit of innovation within the global maritime industry. PortXL wants to change the way people think about the maritime industry. It's an ecosystem of start-ups, scale-ups, corporate partners and mentors – all change makers, creative thinkers and problem solvers who work collaboratively to disrupt the status quo.
Website
SmartPort
Knowledge Platform
SmartPort is a neutral knowledge platform, stimulating alliances, financing scientific research and provides public knowledge dissemination. The aim is to speed up innovations in the port of Rotterdam. SmartPort is a not for profit partnership of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, Deltalinqs, the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Erasmus University, Delft University of Technology, TNO and Deltares.
Website
NLHydrogen
Industry Association
NLHydrogen is the industry association that connects, strengthens, and represents the hydrogen sector. NLHydrogen aims to lead the way in the realization of a CO₂-free society. With knowledge sharing, a powerful network, and sustainable solutions, they ensure that our members are and remain frontrunners.
Website

Aerial photo of the Maasvlakte II, Rotterdam — A lot of traditional industries, but also new pioneering companies are gathered at Rotterdam's Maasvlakte.

Rotterdam's industrial cluster is made up of many local, national and international companies who invest and collaborate to bring their industries and the energy transition forward. Please find below a number of key investors.

Energy/electricity production: Eneco, Uniper
Energy storage and battery solutions: Skoon Energy, S4 Energy, Battolyser Systems, SK TES
Energy Transition consulting: Finco Energies, Equans
Chemicals: Nouryon, Huntsman, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, Air Products, Hexion, Emerald Kalama, Kemira
Petrochemicals and fuels: BP, Esso/Exxon, Shell
Sustainable fuels: Neste, Alco Energy
Tank storage: Koole Tankstorage, Vopak, Odfjell Terminals, Rubis Terminal, HES Terminals, ACE Terminal (expected to open 2026)

With its combination of traditional strengths, innovative projects, and a thriving knowledge ecosystem, Rotterdam is emerging as a global leader in sustainable energy. From cutting-edge hydrogen initiatives to renewable energy logistics, Rotterdam is at the centre of the energy transition, setting the standard for a sustainable future.