EU supports Vireon’s hydrogen initiative in Norway with NOK 15 million
Vireon Norge AS has been awarded just over NOK 15 million in EU funding through the Hydrogen Valley project NORHyWAY. In total, the project receives approximately NOK 240 million from the EU. The funding will contribute to establishing a comprehensive hydrogen value chain in Norway, with heavy-duty transport as a central component.
– The EU has no doubt that hydrogen is necessary to reduce emissions from heavy-duty transport, and we are very pleased that they are supporting our work in Norway, says Per Øyvind Voie, CEO of Vireon.
Establishing a complete hydrogen value chain
Vireon has received funding for its work on developing hydrogen refueling stations. Vireon will collaborate closely with ASKO and NH Transport on the transport-related elements of the project.
– We are proud of our partners ASKO and NH Transport. ASKO has long been a frontrunner in zero-emission heavy transport and ASKO Midt-Norge demonstrates how hydrogen can complement batteries in reducing emissions. NH Transport is already one of Norway’s largest hydrogen transporters and now want to adopt hydrogen in their own fleet. We hope more companies will be inspired to join the initiative, says Voie.
Calling on the salmon industry
The most challenging transport segments to electrify are those covering long distances, carrying very heavy loads, or crossing national borders. These characteristics apply to a large share of the logistics serving one of Norway’s most important export industries – the salmon industry.
– Large volumes of salmon are transported daily from Central Norway to terminals across Europe. With hydrogen, this can be done emission-free without increasing transport time. We hope the industry will seize the opportunity to reduce its transport-related emissions. We are ready to connect them with transport companies capable of delivering hydrogen-based solutions, says Voie.
Will more hydrogen refueling stations be built?
The funding awarded to Vireon will be used to prepare for the establishment of additional hydrogen refueling stations in Norway, including engineering work and technology selection.
Voie now hopes that Norwegian authorities and Enova will contribute to enabling further roll-out.
– Norway has strong support schemes for battery-electric heavy-duty transport. If hydrogen is to develop in parallel, similar framework conditions are needed. We believe national funding instruments can complement EU support and accelerate emission reductions, Voie concludes.
About NORHyWAY
Norway’s first Large-Scale Hydrogen Valley
Awarded approximately NOK 240 million in funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and the EU
Geographical scope: NORHyWAY stretches from Slagentangen in the south to Hammerfest in the north, covering several of Norway’s key hydrogen hubs and transport corridors
The ambition is to establish a national value chain including production, storage, distribution and use of 37,081 tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2035. This could reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 345,000 tonnes per year – equivalent to emissions from approximately 109,000 tonnes of diesel