Enova grants more than 1 billion NOK to three industrial projects. Hydrogen is the climate solution in all three projects

- The road to a zero-emission future requires substantial climate and industrial policy measures. The Norwegian government wants to seize the opportunities in the transition to a low emission society. Green restructuring is the most important growth strategy. We are dependent on players who invest in solutions that help cut emissions and create jobs. The three hydrogen projects that receive support today are good examples of this, and they show how Enova develops new climate-friendly technology in being launched on the market, says the Minister of Climate and Environment Espen Barth Eide (Labor Party).

- These grants are in line with Enova's objectives which is to financially support those who take lead and risk in developing new technology. These projects contribute to the development of hydrogen solutions for industrial purposes in Norway and have the potential for spreading and deployment of technology globally, says CEO of Enova Nils Kristian Nakstad.

Substantial investment in hydrogen

Hydrogen is considered to be a potentially important solution for a low emission society in 2050. Enova contributes to the necessary technological development to take Norway to the low emission society in 2050 and the development of zero and low emission technology in industrial processes is a high priority.

Together with the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and Gassnova, Enova has granted these projects a total of NOK 1.6 billion in 2021. This financial support will again trigger over two billion in investments from the business community.

Overall, this is a major investment in the development of hydrogen as a climate solution, especially in industry and the maritime sector. These are projects that can reduce barriers for those who come after, says Nakstad.

Norway's first contribution to IPCEI Hydrogen

The projects of Tizir and Horizon Energy are also nominated as Norwegian contributions to IPCEI Hydrogen. IPCEI, Important Project of Common European Interest, is a European wide strategic initiative to build unified European value chains for hydrogen with a goal of taking global leadership in hydrogen as a climate solution.

- Enova has been working on projects for IPCEI Hydrogen for one year. We are very pleased that we can now announce that these two projects are being nominated for support through the scheme, and that we can help lift the joint European initiative, says Nakstad.

For all three projects, it is a prerequisite that the grants are approved by ESA, before they can be distributed by Enova.

These projects have been given grants from Enova:

Yara Norge AS: Yara will carry out a demonstration project for the production of ammonia and fertilizers based on renewable energy and hydrogen produced by water electrolysis, instead of from natural gas as is done today. The project will be carried out at Yara's facility on Herøya outside Porsgrunn. This will be an important step for Yara towards being able to produce fertilizer without emissions in the future. Read more here.

The project has been granted up to NOK 283 million from Enova.

TiZir Titanium and Iron AS: Tizir will carry out a development and demonstration project that will lead to the use of hydrogen instead of coal to reduce ilmenite at the smelter in Tyssedal. Through the project, new technology will be developed which will enable Tizir to build a full-scale plant in the future, replacing 85 per cent of coal consumption with hydrogen. Read more here.

The project has been granted up to NOK 261 million from Enova.

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Horisont Energi: Through the Barents Blue project, Horizon Energy will establish ammonia production from natural gas with carbon capture near Hammerfest in Finnmark. The project will use new and energy-efficient technology and will be implemented by a joint venture to be established together with Equinor and Vår Energi.

The plant will produce 1 million tons of ammonia per year. CO2 must be transported to a future Polaris carbon storage for permanent disposal. Read more here.

The project has been granted up to NOK 482 million from Enova.