Supercomputers play a vital role in addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges—from climate change to medical breakthroughs, and from AI to material science. In the Netherlands, powerful supercomputers are readily available for use by researchers, industry professionals, and public institutions—and they’re more accessible than you might think.
This page explains what a supercomputer is, which ones are available in the Netherlands, how to gain access, and what you can do with them.
What is a supercomputer?
A supercomputer is an ultra-powerful machine built to perform extremely complex calculations at lightning speed. Unlike a regular PC with a single processor, supercomputers use thousands—or even millions—of compute cores working in parallel. This enables them to process massive datasets or run simulations that would take weeks or months on conventional systems.
Common supercomputer applications include:
- Climate and weather simulations
- Genetic research and DNA analysis
- Fluid dynamics and impact simulations
- Artificial intelligence and deep learning
- Materials science and chemical modeling
- National security and risk forecasting
Supercomputing facilities in the Netherlands
The Netherlands hosts several high-performance computing systems. The most important ones are operated by SURF—the collaborative ICT organization for Dutch education and research.
1. Snellius – the Dutch national supercomputer
Snellius is the flagship national supercomputer, named after Dutch mathematician Willebrord Snellius. Located at SURF in Amsterdam, it provides computing power to scientists and knowledge institutions across the country.
- Operational since: 2021
- Peak performance: Over 14 petaflops (14 quadrillion calculations per second)
- Designed with sustainable cooling and reuse of residual heat
- Universities, hospitals, institutes, and national research projects
Common workloads on Snellius:
- Molecular simulations for drug development
- Fluid dynamics around bridges and buildings
- Training of neural networks for language models
Read more about Snellius Supercomputer on eurocc-netherlands.nl/snellius-supercomputer/
2. LUMI – Europe’s supercomputer with Dutch access
In addition to Snellius, Dutch researchers can also apply for access to LUMI, one of Europe’s most powerful supercomputers, located in Finland and part of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking.
- Compute power: >550 petaflops
- Powered entirely by renewable energy
- Ideal for: AI, climate science, and large-scale data analytics
Who can use supercomputers in the Netherlands?
Supercomputers aren’t just for top-level institutes or elite researchers. Thanks to organizations like EuroCC Netherlands and SURF, a wide variety of users can benefit:
- Universities and applied sciences institutionsPublic research centers (e.g. TNO, NWO-funded projects)
- Hospitals and medical centers
- SMEs and startups with innovative computation needs
- AI developers and data-driven tech companies
Whether you’re doing fundamental research or building a commercial product—if your work involves compute-heavy tasks, HPC may be the solution. And no, it doesn’t have to be complex or expensive.
What can you do with a supercomputer?
The possibilities are nearly endless. Here are a few real-world Dutch examples:
- The Ocean Cleanup: Used supercomputers to simulate plastic drift in ocean currents
- TU Delft & The Green Village: Ran real-time energy data analysis for smart city solutions
- LLM Development: Researchers trained large language models (LLMs) with billions of parameters—only feasible with HPC
- Medical Simulation: Blood flow models for dialysis patients simulated with clinical precision
Explore our use cases or 5 real-world examples of HPC for more inspiration
How to access a Supercomputer?
At EuroCC Netherlands, we guide you every step of the way in applying for and using supercomputing resources:
- Intro & intake
We discuss your project and assess whether supercomputing offers added value. - System Access
We help you apply for compute time through SURF or the EuroHPC framework. - Training & support
You’ll receive access to hands-on workshops and training sessions to get started. - Project assistance
Our experts assist with software, data migration, performance tuning, and parallel processing..
FAQs about supercomputers in the Netherlands
Is a supercomputer the same as the cloud?
Not quite. Supercomputers are optimized for parallel, high-performance workloads and deliver significantly higher compute power per second than most cloud services:
Do I need to be a programmer to access supercomptuers in the Netherlands?
No. Most HPC systems support familiar tools and frameworks (like Python, R, and AI libraries), and we offer guidance.
How much does the use of supercomputers in the Netherlands cost?
For education and research, compute time is often subsidized. Businesses may access structured packages and sometimes funding through RVO or EU programs.
Start using supercomputers in the Netherlands today
Want to explore whether your organization can benefit from HPC or supercomputing? Already convinced and ready to apply? EuroCC Netherlands is your go-to resource. We provide tailored guidance, access, training, and project support.
