First hydrogen delivered in unique Deventer project

At its Deventer facility, heating manufacturer Nefit Bosch is testing hydrogen-powered heating systems. The hydrogen is supplied on-site by Essent and distributed through a dedicated reception station. Meanwhile, Essent, Firan, and Witteveen+Bos continue to scale up GROHW (Green Oxygen Hydrogen and Waste Heat). By the end of 2026, the first part of a local hydrogen network will be operational, opening up new opportunities for surrounding businesses. A first in the Netherlands.

“Many hydrogen initiatives are large and complex. Here, we take a hands-on approach: deliver, test, learn, and scale up,” says Maarten Moolhuysen, Director of Hydrogen at Essent. “For Essent, this marks the start of industrial hydrogen supply. We’re ready to onboard more local companies and accelerate growth.”

Markus Baumeister, Director of R&D at Nefit Bosch, adds: “We’re conducting endurance tests on new hydrogen boilers for the European market focusing on the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. Continuous supply is essential, and we’re proud to have made that happen.”

Local electrolyser

Alongside the first deliveries, Firan is developing a regional distribution network to connect additional businesses. Essent also plans to build a 2.5-megawatt electrolyser on the Nefit Bosch site, converting regional green electricity into hydrogen. The installation received €5 million in national funding this summer, with a final investment decision expected later this year.

“The choice for a decentralized network sets this project apart,” says Benjamin Pilzer of Firan. “We’re building not just a local hydrogen chain, but a scalable and replicable energy model, ready to inspire other regions in the Netherlands. That’s what makes this project so impactful.”

Oost NL: Connecting and accelerating

“Nefit Bosch plays a vital role in our region, not least in terms of employment,” says Janet de Rooy-Smid, Project Manager at Oost NL. “That’s why we actively contributed by connecting the right stakeholders, from municipalities and the province to regulatory authorities, to lay the foundation for this company’s long-term place in both the regional and national hydrogen ecosystem.”

“It’s great to see how far the partners have come with GROHW, the initiative we first launched in 2018,” says Raphaël van der Velde, Business Unit Manager Energy Systems at Witteveen+Bos. “What started as a blueprint for a scalable design is now becoming a full-scale green hydrogen facility, soon to include oxygen production for local industries.”

Driving regional progress and the energy transition

With the first hydrogen delivery in Deventer and the opening of the Nefit Bosch R&D center, a major step has been taken toward a circular, regional hydrogen chain. Oost NL continues to strengthen pioneering companies and partnerships like GROHW, accelerating the energy transition in East Netherlands through innovation, collaboration, and expertise.