Gemmeke Groot speaks clearly about the importance of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): ‘CCS projects are indispensable to both the Dutch and the global energy transition. It is fantastic to be able to contribute to this in my role as Project Director at Porthos.’
30 January 2026
Gemmeke Groot starts as project director at Porthos
Porthos welcomes Dr Ir Gemmeke Groot as project director on 9 February 2026. She will continue to lead the project through to commissioning and into the full operational phase of a safe, reliable and cost-effective integrated CO₂ transport and storage system. Following a handover period, Gemmeke Groot will succeed Hans Meeuwsen on 25 February, who will remain in post until that date.
The new project director brings with her a wealth of international experience. Gemmeke Groot has a long track record in various management positions within operational, project and engineering environments at Shell, both in the Netherlands and abroad. In her most recent role as Maintenance, Turnaround & Construction Manager, the emphasis was on complex technical environments where safety, reliability and cooperation are key.
The construction of the Porthos infrastructure is well advanced. Construction of the CO₂ transport and storage system started in early 2024. The onshore and offshore pipelines have now been fully constructed. The realisation of the compressor station on the Maasvlakte is also progressing steadily, as is the conversion of the former gas production platform into a CO₂ injection platform. Porthos is expected to be operational in the autumn of 2026.
