Last week, the government presented its new hydrogen strategy. It aims to increase the number of pilot and demonstration projects in Norway. These projects will produce environmentally friendly hydrogen, with no or very low emissions, either as green hydrogen by electrolysis of water with clean power or as blue hydrogen from natural gas with CO₂ management.
Hydrogen already has good traditions in the industrial region of Haugalandet. In the mid-1990s, Utsira had one of Europe's very first pilot projects. Hydro's wind turbines on the island produced electricity, which in turn produced hydrogen, which in turn produced energy. There have also been several local hydrogen initiatives, such as Westcon's hydrogen ferry.
Infrastructure in place
The Hydrogen Valley project was started in Haugalandet in 2017, promoted through the RENergi program. After three incubator years with good preparatory work, the project is now ripe for realization.
- We have set aside a large area for hydrogen-based industry in Haugaland Business Park, and hope to be able to lay the foundation stone with a large pilot project. Statnett has submitted a license application for a new 420 Kv power line to Haugalandet, where the planned power line will land in a new substation inside Haugaland Business Park, and initially provide 500MW from 2026. We also have ample access to natural gas from Kårstø, which is piped directly under Haugaland Business Park on its way to Europe. The infrastructure is in place.
The industry takes it further
The foundations have been laid through Hydrogen Valley, and now the bird is ready to fly in collaboration with industrial partners.
- It is the industry that will now take the ball forward and realize the project. Several people are contacting us about this, and we are in close dialogue with several exciting and large industrial players about pilot projects," says Fjeld.
Haugaland Næringspark is Norway's largest fully regulated commercial area, right in the heart of the Norwegian industrial adventure. There are 5,000 acres of regulated commercial space with associated port facilities and a deep-water quay with a depth of 16.5 meters. The park has a clear ambition to attract green industry with a need for large areas and energy.