EU backs Resato with €25 million to deploy 1,000 hydrogen refuelling stations
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided a €25 million venture debt facility to Resato Hydrogen Technology, a Dutch leader in hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, based in Assen.
Resato plans to channel this funding into research and development and expand its production capabilities, all while contributing to Europe’s ambitious clean energy goals.
Scaling hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
The EIB loan, supported by the European Commission under its InvestEU initiative, signals strong European commitment to hydrogen as a critical element of the energy transition.
Resato’s growth plan includes an ambitious goal of deploying 1,000 hydrogen refuelling stations by 2030, directly supporting the EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
This year, the company plans to move operations to a new, optimised assembly facility to ramp up production.
Local impact, global goals
The expansion of Resato’s production capacity is set to significantly boost job creation in the northern Netherlands.
Currently employing 170 people, Resato aims to increase its workforce to 500-1,000 by 2030.
The ripple effects are expected to benefit the regional supply chain, further cementing the area as a hydrogen technology hub.
Recognising the challenge of finding skilled technical personnel, Resato launched its H2 Academy in late 2024. The academy partners with universities and local institutions to offer specialised training programs, fostering a new generation of hydrogen industry professionals.
Vision for clean mobility
Hydrogen infrastructure plays a crucial role in tackling the “chicken-and-egg” problem of hydrogen vehicle adoption – where a lack of fuelling stations deters investment in hydrogen vehicles, and vice versa.
European Investment Bank Vice President Robert de Groot highlighted this in his statement: “The green and energy transitions depend on ensuring the right kind of infrastructure is in place to support alternative fuels.
“The Bank is happy to support yet another high-tech hydrogen project developed in the Netherlands, showcasing Europe’s innovative capabilities.”
Resato’s focus extends beyond passenger vehicles, also targeting heavy-duty transport, such as trucks and buses, where hydrogen’s long-range and fast refuelling provide a significant advantage over battery-electric solutions.
Resato’s legacy in hydrogen
Resato has over three decades of expertise in high-pressure technology, and is no stranger to innovation.
The company launched the Netherlands’ first large hydrogen refuelling station in The Hague in 2019 and has since delivered more than 55 hydrogen stations across Europe.
Notably, Resato manufactured Europe’s largest hydrogen station – capable of delivering 2,000 kg of hydrogen per day – operated by Hypion in Neumünster, Germany.
CEO Rob Castien expressed confidence in the company’s vision: “This loan from the European Investment Bank validates our mission to lead the way in developing advanced hydrogen refuelling solutions.
“Hydrogen not only offers a clean energy alternative but also alleviates grid congestion, supporting Europe’s transition to a sustainable energy system.”
A broader European perspective
The loan aligns with the EIB’s long-standing commitment to fostering sustainable innovation.
Over the past decade, the Bank has invested more than €27 billion in Dutch projects, spanning sectors from sustainable mobility to healthcare.
Through InvestEU, the EIB leverages public and private funds to mobilise substantial investment in green projects across Europe, supporting the “European Green Deal”.
Resato’s partnership with the EIB is a vital new step in advancing Europe’s hydrogen infrastructure, creating pathways for zero-emission transport, and strengthening the hydrogen economy.