Norwegian Hydrogen AS is proceeding with its plan to develop green hydrogen production at Hellesylt by the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, two years before the UNESCO-protected Geirangerfjord would be emission-free.
“We have now put our plans into action in Hellesylt. Located close to the UNESCO world heritage area of the Geiranger fjord, we are very happy to be able to deliver green hydrogen to our customers in need for a solution for zero-emission energy, years before the deadline for zero-emission-mobility-only in the fjord, which is January 1st 2026”, says Jens Berge CEO in Norwegian Hydrogen.
Norwegian Hydrogen and the German business FEST inked a deal on May 19 for the delivery of a complete hydrogen production and processing unit with a daily capacity of 1,300 kilograms. The plant comprises of a containerized PEM-based 3 MW electrolyzer, compressor systems, and hydrogen storage.
“With this contract we put an end to the “chicken-and-egg problem” in this region”, says Jens Berge, CEO of Norwegian Hydrogen.
“Our focus is to build production and infrastructure in the entire Nordic region, but we start at Hellesylt, and this contract proves that we mean business. We are doers, and this shows that we are trustworthy with our plans. The experience we are getting with this project is very valuable and will help us moving further with our plans in the Nordic region,” Berge continues.
Hydrogen will play a crucial part in the transition to sustainable energy, helping to reduce carbon emissions, establish energy independence, and end the world’s dependence on oil and gas. As part of the energy revolution, hydrogen will be essential for reaching zero emissions in the transportation sector.
“A hydrogen supply chain infrastructure is a prerequisite for the application of hydrogen in numerous mobility and industry segments, such as on trucks, buses, cars, trains, and ships. Green hydrogen availability is crucial in this transition, and the project at Hellesylt is an important step in that context,” says Berge.
“FEST highly appreciates the trust and confidence in its technology and is looking forward to a long-term partnership with Norwegian Hydrogen, ”, says FEST CEO Matthias Authenrieth, and continues;
“For FEST another milestone has been reached, by securing our first hydrogen production plant for the Norwegian market. This project marks the starting point for a stronger commitment to the Norwegian and Scandinavian hydrogen sector for FEST. Here, Norwegian Hydrogen is the perfect partner, as the exchange with the very professional team members has been always very open-minded and reliable”.
“We are very satisfied with landing this contract for a complete plant from FEST. They have proved to be the best alternative both commercially and technically for this project. The contract is a major milestone for the Hellesylt Hydrogen Hub project and will ensure that Norwegian Hydrogen can provide our customers with green hydrogen by q4 2023”, says Project Manager Andreas Wenaas Østigård.
“We focus on utilizing the energy resources in this area in the best possible way with a circular focus. We want to use the excess heat from the hydrogen production for heating the hotel close by, and the Oxygen will be used by land based aquaculture, concludes Østigård.
Norwegian Hydrogen will construct refueling facilities for both marine and land-based refueling in the fjord.
Recently, Norwegian Hydrogen announced a Nordic partnership with FirstElement Fuel Inc and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. to establish a network of hydrogen filling stations and advance the zero-emission hydrogen transportation business in the Nordic nations. Together, the team will create a network of hydrogen refueling stations in the Nordic region capable of recharging 100,000 hydrogen-powered vehicles.
“One can hardly get a better showcase than the world heritage municipality Stranda to put the first piece in place for the green shift and hydrogen investment in Norway,” says mayor of Stranda municipality, Jan Ove Tryggestad.
The investment in hydrogen has broad support from political and administrative teams in the municipality, and not least from the local population.
“It is not a given that this should happen in a small settlement on Sunnmøre, but Norwegian Hydrogen has in this project shown courage, willingness to take risks and a social responsibility like few others. Stranda municipality wishes good luck with the investment,” concludes Tryggestad.
