The Port of Gothenburg and Norway’s Statkraft propose to build a hydrogen production facility near the port, with operations set to begin in 2023.
The facility will initially have a capacity of four megawatts (MW), capable of producing up to two tonnes of hydrogen per day.
The Gothenburg Port Authority and Statkraft have agreed to conduct a more detailed examination into the possibility of establishing an interim storage facility and filling station at the Gothenburg Port. A preliminary study is currently underway with a primary focus on safety. It is scheduled to be completed in early 2022.
“The Port of Gothenburg is Scandinavia’s largest port and as a hub for transport by sea, rail, and road, it operates a wide range of heavy freight-handling equipment. Hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil-based diesel for all these items of equipment,” said Arvid Guthed, Vice President, Port Development, at the Gothenburg Port Authority.
The proposed facility will initially have a capacity of four megawatts and will be capable of producing up to two tonnes of hydrogen per day. This is the equivalent of 2,200 gallons of diesel and might contribute to a daily carbon reduction of at least 4 tonnes. Capacity can be increased as demand increases and new applications develop.
“We know there is already significant demand in and around the port for using equipment powered by hydrogen. A number of companies and organisations are ready and waiting and we are convinced that local production of hydrogen would represent a breakthrough,” said Arvid Guthed.
Hydrogen produced by fossil-free energy sources such as hydropower or wind power is likewise fossil-free. Hydrogen can be stored and used in a variety of freight-handling applications, most notably heavy transport equipment that can be converted to run on hydrogen. In practice, the utilization of hydrogen creates no emissions other than steam.
“Statkraft is the largest supplier of renewable energy in Europe, and we maintain that renewable hydrogen will be critical if we are to achieve carbon-free transport within the near future. This project will increase the potential for this development by contributing to the transition to a fossil-free transport sector on land and at sea,” said Per Rosenqvist, CEO, Statkraft Hydrogen Sweden AB.
Sweden’s goal is to cut domestic transport emissions by 70% by 2030. According to the Fossil-Free Sweden Hydrogen Gas Strategy, published in January 2021, Sweden’s planned hydrogen projects now contribute to a reduction of slightly more than 30% of the country’s total national carbon emissions. The Port of Gothenburg’s climate target mirrors the Swedish aim, which calls for a 70% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions not only at the port, but also in transportation to and from the port across the Gothenburg region.
“We need to ensure that a mix of fossil-free fuels is available at the Port of Gothenburg if we are to achieve our climate goal and ultimately become fossil free. We are working actively on several fronts, including the Tranzero Initiative, where land transport is particularly in focus and hydrogen is a key component,” said Arvid Guthed.
