Wood, a global leader in consulting and engineering, has secured a significant contract for the front-end engineering design (FEED) of the Zeevonk hydrogen facility in Rotterdam, Netherlands. This landmark project, powered by a combination of offshore wind and floating offshore solar from the Zeevonk developments, represents a major step forward in Europe's green hydrogen ambitions.

The Zeevonk project is a joint venture between Vattenfall, a leading European energy company, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the world’s largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments, through its Energy Transition Fund (CI ETF I). This ambitious initiative aligns with Vattenfall’s commitment to net-zero emissions and contributes significantly to Europe’s overarching goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The facility’s design will accommodate substantial peak consumption, and the hydrogen produced will be transported via pipeline to the nearby Hydrogen Network Rotterdam. This network forms the initial phase of the new Dutch hydrogen infrastructure, centered in the Port of Rotterdam, one of Europe’s most crucial energy hubs. The project's strategic location within this developing infrastructure underscores its importance to the broader European hydrogen ecosystem.

Gerry Traynor, President of Projects Eastern Hemisphere at Wood, expressed enthusiasm about the project win, stating, “We are thrilled to deliver this next phase of the state-of-the-art energy system at Zeevonk, applying our extensive expertise in large-scale green hydrogen projects, which are crucial to the world’s energy transition.” He emphasized Wood's commitment to maximizing value engineering and incorporating operational knowledge to ensure a reliable and cost-effective solution. Traynor also highlighted Wood's broader dedication to delivering low-carbon solutions and driving the accessibility and scalability of low-emission energy sources globally.

Claus Vissing-Jørgensen, Project Director at Zeevonk, emphasized the significance of the FEED contract award, calling it a “significant milestone” for the planned large-scale hydrogen plant in the Maasvlakte area. He noted that the FEED study, which will span the next ten months, will provide detailed cost estimates and lay the foundation for the upcoming EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) tender process, anticipated in the second quarter of this year. This timeline underscores the project's momentum and the commitment of the partners to rapid development.

This contract marks Wood’s third major collaboration with CIP, further solidifying their partnership in the renewable energy sector. Wood previously served as owner’s engineer for CIP’s Coalburn Storage project in Scotland, poised to become Europe’s largest battery storage unit. Additionally, Wood is the engineering services provider for CIP’s green hydrogen Catalina project in Spain. These multiple engagements demonstrate the trust CIP places in Wood's expertise and capabilities in delivering complex renewable energy projects.