Renewable Energies & Hydrogen Countries with Cooperation Agreements

Norway defines itself as an energy and technology nation. The current emission reduction target is at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 level.

In the field of hydrogen its activities are defined by the National Hydrogen Strategy of 2020. Norway has many years of industrial experience across the entire hydrogen value chain from its long tradition of dealing with natural gas.

Norwegian H2 production methods focus not only on electrolysis of water. Blue hydrogen from steam reforming combined with CCS is also relevant since the Norwegian continental shelf could potentially act as a CO2 storage. Various short term options of supplying blue hydrogen are being evaluated. In the long term, companies including Equinor are also looking at the option of producing hydrogen in Norway from gas, with a short distance to CO2 storage, and transporting hydrogen through pipelines or possibly by ship in the form of ammonia.

Use cases for hydrogen are in particular heavy road transport as well as the maritime industry and new green shipping solutions for which the Government has developped a specific action plan. Other strategic documents include the 2021–2030 climate plan or the plan for fossil-free public transport by 2025.  

For Germany, Norway is a very important partner, also with a view of Germany’s  revised national hydrogen strategy with its focus not on green but also on blue hydrogen at least for a transitional period. Moreover, German partners can draw of the high Norwegian expertise in safety developed in the gas industry and apply it in hydrogen. In addition, there is a long tradition of strong cooperation in research projects.

The article includes facts and figures taken from the following sources:

• Norwegian Government
• Norwegian government’s national hydrogen strategy
• Norwegian government’s action plan for green shipping
• Innovation Norway