Marknesse, November 28, 2025 – The Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) has officially opened the Energy to Propulsion Test Facility (EPTF) in Marknesse.
This unique, modular facility enables NLR and its partners to safely and thoroughly test new propulsion technologies, with a strong focus on hydrogen-electric powertrains. This represents a significant contribution to accelerating the sustainability of aviation.
The EPTF is the first facility in Europe where hydrogen as an energy carrier can be researched and tested so integrally. Startups, SMEs, and industrial partners are provided with optimal conditions to bring complex innovations to market faster.
The opening of the EPTF aligns perfectly with the mission of the Mobility and Infrastructure Test Center (MITC). Within MITC, NLR, DNW, RDW, the Municipality of Noordoostpolder, the Province of Flevoland, and educational institutions Firda and Windesheim join forces to develop and test innovative solutions for sustainable mobility.
While the EPTF focuses on making aviation sustainable through hydrogen technology, MITC provides a broader knowledge and testing center for mobility and infrastructure. Together, these initiatives form an ecosystem where knowledge institutions, government, and the business community reinforce one another.
The collective efforts of the MITC partners demonstrate that the transition to sustainable mobility is not just a technological challenge, but also a societal mission. By combining expertise and making facilities such as the EPTF available, the move toward a future-proof mobility system is accelerated.
With the opening of the EPTF in Marknesse, NLR is taking a major step toward sustainable aviation. Simultaneously, this project underscores the importance of collaboration within MITC, where partners work together on innovative solutions for the mobility of tomorrow.
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