Five projects for hydrogen production receive support from Enova. The venture is to be a springboard for the use of hydrogen in Norwegian shipping.
The Norwegian maritime sector is leading the way, once again, says Climate and Environment Minister Tore O. Sandvik (Ap).
- These projects can cut emissions in Norway, but will also contribute to the transition in the rest of Europe and the world, he says.
– Leading maritime nation
Energy Minister Terje Aasland (Ap) shoots in:
- Congratulations to the projects that received support today. It is fantastic to see so many players investing in innovative and emission-free solutions. Norway has a long tradition as a leading maritime nation, he says.
And adds:
- What we do to develop emission-free solutions for maritime transport here at home could have significance far beyond our borders.
Hydrogen for Norwegian ships
The aim of Enova's support is to establish the first functioning value chain for hydrogen in Norway, as a springboard for further development.
So that hydrogen can eventually become a more accessible and sustainable fuel, also economically.
- The projects that receive support will be part of a network of hydrogen producers along the Norwegian coastline, from Slagentangen in the southeast to Bodø in the north.
So says Nils Kristian Nakstad, CEO of Enova.
- This will make hydrogen more accessible to those who want to invest in sustainable shipping, he says.
These projects receive support:
- Hydrogen plant in Slagentangen in Vestfold: GreenH in collaboration with Grieg Edge and Esso Norge. Amount of support: NOK 144.11 million.
- Hydrogen plant in Egersund in Rogaland: Kaupanes Hydrogen, owned by Hydrogen Solutions, Dalane Energi and Eigersund Naering og Havn. Amount of support: NOK 206 million.
- Hydrogen plant in Floro in Vestland: HyFuel, owned by Hydrogen Solutions, Fjord Base and Sogn og Fjordane Energi. Amount of support: NOK 180 million. ?
- Hydrogen plant in Kristiansund in More og Romsdal: GreenH. Amount of support: NOK 118.66 million.
- Hydrogen plant in Bodo in Nordland: GreenH. Amount of support: NOK 128.65 million.
- These are pioneers who are at the forefront of hydrogen, and ensure the supply along the Norwegian coast, says Nakstad.
And adds:
- This will ensure the basis for hydrogen to develop into a fuel that many people can use.
5.5 percent of national emissions
In total, the projects that have received support under Enova's initiative, now and in 2022, will contribute to a production capacity of 100 MW, which corresponds to approx. 40 tons of hydrogen per day.
In addition, the projects will contribute to an emission reduction of 200,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
This corresponds to 5.5 per cent of the national emissions from shipping and fishing of 3.66 million tonnes of CO2 per year, according to Statistics Norway figures from 2022.
- If we succeed with these first projects and emission cuts, we will have paved the way for significant emission cuts going forward, says Sigmund Størset, target manager for hydrogen at Enova.
The emission reduction requires that an equivalent number of vessels be invested in, in order to be able to use the hydrogen.
Focus on hydrogen and ammonia
In December 2023, Enova announced a strong strengthening of its investment in hydrogen and ammonia as fuel in the maritime sector. Through new support programs for both production and infrastructure for hydrogen, infrastructure for ammonia and support for hydrogen and ammonia vessels.
The aim of the investment as a whole is to realize the first functioning value chains for both hydrogen and ammonia as fuel in Norway.
Infrastructure for ammonia
Enova has announced that there will be a similar program for support for bunkering facilities for ammonia for shipping along the coast.??
- This support program will be an important part of the investment, and we are working with the program now, says Storset.
- We plan to publish preliminary program criteria for input from the market during the first quarter of 2025, and that the program will finally be launched during the second quarter, he says.
