Norway Unveils its Hydrogen Strategy

The strategy, which is the first of its kind ever, will lay the foundation for the government’s further work on hydrogen.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can help reduce emissions and create value for Norwegian business and industry. The Government wants to prioritize efforts in those areas where Norway has special advantages, where Norway and Norwegian companies and technology environments can influence development, and where there are opportunities for increased value creation and green growth.

For hydrogen to be a low- or emission-free energy carrier, it must be produced with no or very low emissions, such as by electrolysis of clean power water, or from natural gas with CO ₂ handling.

Technology maturity and high costs are currently key barriers to increased use of hydrogen, especially in the transport sector and as an input factor in parts of the industry. If hydrogen and hydrogen-based solutions such as green ammonia are to be used in new areas, the technology and solutions must become more mature. Further technology development is important.

– An important goal for the government is to increase the number of pilot and demonstration projects in Norway, by contributing to and supporting technology development and commercialization. There is a broad focus on zero-discharge technologies and solutions throughout the instrument. In addition, there is a significant strengthened investment in hydrogen in Norway in the green change package presented by the government last week, says Oil and Energy Minister Tina Bru.

On May 29, the government proposed, among other things, to allocate NOK 120 million to the ENERGIX program in the Research Council of Norway. Hydrogen-related technologists and solutions will play a central role in this effort.

Emission-free transport and industry

In Norway today, the maritime sector, heavy transport, and industrial processes stand out as the most relevant uses for hydrogen.

The government has a broad focus on zero-emission solutions in the transport sector throughout the policy instrument. The Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and Enova contribute to development and demonstration, including through joint calls in PILOT-E.

Through the Zero Emission Fund, Enova also contributes to the early market introduction of hydrogen solutions in commercial vehicles and vessels. Enova has also been significantly strengthened as part of the green restructuring package. This is to strengthen the focus on technology development in the industry and contribute to green restructuring in line with the transition to the low-emission society, including technology development in areas such as hydrogen.

– Hydrogen will be an important contribution on the road towards the low-emission society, especially in transport and industry. We have strengthened several of the instruments that help to bring hydrogen solutions closer to the market, says Minister of Climate and Environment Sveinung Rotevatn.

As part of the green restructuring package, the Government is proposing to increase funding for the speedboat initiative under the Climate Rate by NOK 20 million. The scheme strengthens the county’s efforts to promote zero- and low-emission speedboats, including hydrogen-powered boats.

The scheme supports, among other things, development contracts that could be important for creating good financial conditions in order for technology environments to compete to develop the best zero-emission solutions for selected fast boat connections.