The nitrogen plant in Zuidbroek, Groningen, which has to convert foreign gas into gas suitable for the Netherlands, is again experiencing delays, according to director Jasoni. Initially, the plant was supposed to be ready in April, but this was postponed until summer and then autumn. The official now assumes early 2023.
The plant is necessary because the Netherlands imports large quantities of gas that is not suitable for homes. With the help of nitrogen, this foreign gas, for example from Norway, can be converted into the so-called low-calorie gas that is suitable, for example, for a stove. This helps stop gas extraction in Groningen due to earthquakes in the area.
But the construction of the plant did not go smoothly, in part because the contractors were at odds with one another. Gasunie now reports that there are very few employees available to complete the work on time.
Last summer, Gasunie announced that the plant would be finished in October. This was then delayed by four weeks and has now been moved back to early 2023.
According to Foreign Minister Hans Willberev (Mining), the postponement of the construction of the plant “again causes great inconvenience”. “All concerned will be asked for a text and an explanation,” he wrote in a letter to the House of Representatives at the beginning of next week. According to the foreign minister, further delay is “unwelcome”.
