– It will be noticed – E24

Ferry and speedboat company Norled will launch one of the world’s first hydrogen ferries on the Hjelmeland-Nesvik connection in Rogaland next year, after having built the world’s first battery-powered ferry.

Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled, is pleased with the announcement by Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide (KrF) on Saturday. The government wants one of Norway’s longest ferry connections, Bodø-Moskenes, to be operated with hydrogen ferries from 2024.

– The hydrogen powered shuttles at Vestfjord will be noticed around the world, says Wolden in a message.

“Through access to liquid hydrogen, other industries in the area will have an adventurous opportunity to assume a global leadership position in the development and use of hydrogen technology,” he says.

Zero environmental foundation leader Marius Holm tells NTB that the government move is a breakthrough for hydrogen as a fuel in shipping, and that this could be a major start in large-scale hydrogen production in Norway. .

– So Enova’s support is needed for the realization of large-scale hydrogen production, and the framework conditions that mean that additional costs in an initial phase are covered, he says.

The announcement of the tender for a hydrogen ferry is due before Christmas and contracts will be signed before the summer of 2021. Operations will begin in 2024. To reduce the risk for suppliers, the tender period is 15 years, in compared to the normal ten years.

Nel’s boss wants support changes

Norway has several companies that are positioning themselves for hydrogen growth. Among them is Nel, which supplies electrolyzers that can separate hydrogen from water through electrolysis powered by electricity.

“Very good Erna Solberg, this was very good news,” writes Nel’s boss, Jon André Løkke. on Twitter Sunday, with reference to the government’s decision to use hydrogen ferries at Lofoten.

Løkke also sends an invitation to the Minister of Oil and Energy, Tina Bru (H).

“Remember, Tina Bru, that Enova’s mandate must also be changed so that they have the opportunity to support green hydrogen production, where today there is an end point,” writes Løkke.

Waiting for a billion investment

Norled’s chief believes that the government’s decision may give Norway an edge in climate technology. She believes that domestic demand for ferries and speedboats is critical to ensuring hydrogen production begins.

“Through investment in hydrogen, Norway is also creating green jobs and opportunities for a new export industry, while reducing the emissions associated with the necessary ferry transport,” says Wolden.

– Big Norwegian industrial players are willing to invest billions in ready-to-go projects, but the money would have disappeared for projects in other countries if Norway hadn’t seized the opportunity now, says Wolden.

Norled and Westcon shipyards in Ølen have received competition from Scottish players to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered ferry.

Last year, the Stavanger Steamship Company sold Norled to Nordic infrastructure fund CapMan Infra and Canada’s CBRE Caledon Capital Management for unknown billion.

Large investments in the EU

The EU recently announced a hydrogen strategy to facilitate up to 40 gigawatts of electrolysis capacity by 2030.

Germany has announced an investment of around nine billion euros in hydrogen, while Spain is reserving a similar amount. France, for its part, will spend up to seven billion euros on hydrogen.

Norway set aside NOK 100 million for hydrogen in the state budget for 2021. When Norway presented its hydrogen strategy in June without promising money, Nel CEO Jon André Løkke described it as “toothless”. Prime Minister Erna Solberg has announced that there will be a separate roadmap for hydrogen in Norway.