Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy firm, is investigating the feasibility of building and running hydrogen facilities to satisfy high internal demand while still serving an export market, using the company’s industrial and renewable energy capabilities.
Hydro has identified a strong strategic path for2025, with the goal of improving its role in low-carbon aluminum while pursuing potential growth prospects in recycling and new energy.
“We see a substantial potential for industrial hydrogen consumption. Taking a developer and operator role in the hydrogen sector represents an opportunity for Hydro to reduce industrial CO2 emissions and develop a profitable and sustainable business based on hydrogen.
“Hydro has unique capabilities that set us apart from other industrial players due to our own renewable power positions and competence, and large internal demand for gas that can be replaced by green hydrogen solutions. We can therefore build and develop a complete value chain for green hydrogen in Norway.”
Hilde Merete Aasheim, President and CEO in Hydro.
A developer and operator position for Hydro would be compatible with the company’s internal portfolio of future hydrogen projects, and would most likely require a complete or partial transition from gas to hydrogen in plants located throughout the country. A likely starting point for this process will be the conversion of some of Hydro’s aluminum plants in Norway from gas to hydrogen.
“A developer and operator position for Hydro would be compatible with the company’s internal portfolio of future hydrogen projects, and would most likely require a complete or partial transition from gas to hydrogen in plants located throughout the country. A likely starting point for this process will be the conversion of some of Hydro’s aluminum plants in Norway from gas to hydrogen.”
Hilde Merete Aasheim, President and CEO in Hydro.
Hydrogen innovations and systems have been on Hydro’s radar many times during the last several decades. Several aspects have improved in recent years, increasing the feasibility of converting from gas to hydrogen at Hydro’s plants. The goals of the EU and Norway to decarbonize the economy by 2050 necessitate the use of hydrogen as an effective energy carrier, and support schemes are being implemented. Furthermore, production costs are declining, and Norway is well-suited for hydrogen creation and usage due to its appealing, clean resources.
