Mammoet powers key lifts at hydrogen plant

The project underscores the role of modular construction and electric lifting technologies in enabling large-scale renewable energy infrastructure. Photo: Mammoet

Mammoet played a key role in the construction of Shell’s Holland Hydrogen 1, Europe’s first large-scale green hydrogen facility.

Located on the Dutch coast, the plant features 200 MW of electrolyser capacity and is expected to produce up to 60,000 kg of hydrogen per day using electricity from the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm.

Mammoet joined the project during the FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) phase to assist with constructability planning and later managed critical transport and lifting operations across the site.

“We started our involvement supporting with the route survey, as part of wider pre-study activity,” said Paul van der Waal, tender specialist at Mammoet. “I was actively involved in the constructability meetings to look at the build from a transport and lift perspective.”

Key tasks included installing transformers weighing from 90 to 165 tonnes using skid and jack techniques, and lifting ten 80 tonne air cooler units onto the roof using a custom steel structure. Photo: Mammoet

Transporting heavy components to the coastal site posed challenges due to restricted access and simultaneous work by multiple contractors in limited space. Mammoet worked with Shell for more than two years to define the optimal modular strategy, logistics routes, and equipment needs.

The Euromax Terminal in Rotterdam was chosen as the port of entry, with a 750 tonne mobile crane used to unload components for delivery to the site 15 kilometres away.

Clean installation

During the installation phase, emissions restrictions required the use of electric equipment. Mammoet deployed several zero-emission machines, including a heavy-duty carrier, electric crane, and robot mover. Operators carried out all lifts over one tonne using mobile cranes ranging from 60 to 750 tonnes.

Mammoet is assisting in the constructability plan for Europe’s largest renewable hydrogen plant. Photo: Mammoet

Key tasks included installing transformers weighing 90-165 tonnes using skid and jack techniques, and lifting ten 80-tonne air cooler units onto the facility’s roof using a custom steel structure. Mammoet also handled the installation of about 200 components inside the electrolyser building.

To maximise space and efficiency, a large pipe rack unit was pre-assembled off-site and delivered in two sections for final installation.

“We had an active on-site team who was fully immersed in the process,” said Marco Barendregt, Mammoet project manager. “We maintained good communication with Shell, as well as with all the other parties on the mechanical, steel and construction sides of the build. This ensured the installation schedule went to plan, with every heavy movement integrated smoothly with the next.”