23 September 2021

Neste eyes three big segments within renewable energy 2030

Neste, a Finnish oil refiner, and one of the world’s leading renewable fuels suppliers, is targeting three segments that they want to operate in – renewable aviation, renewable polymers/chemicals, and renewable road transport. Plus, Neste has ambitions of making its Porvoo oil refinery the most sustainable refinery in Europe 2030. Further, the company has increased its EBIT improvement targets (again) from EUR 225 million to EUR 350 million by the end of 2022, and from EUR 300 million to EUR 500 million in 2030. Although revising the companies expected investments from EUR 1.1 billion to EUR 1.2 billion, the company leaves its long-term financial targets and dividend policy unchanged (Börsvärlden, Capital Markets Day presentation). 

Ørsted ready to invest DKK 100 billion in Scottish offshore wind

If Ørsted wins all five bids for the ScotWind tender, the Danish utility company has pledged to invest DKK 100 billion (£12 billion) in developing and constructing Scottish offshore wind farms. The five bids, on both floating, and mixed fixed- and floating wind technologies would make Scotland the leading country in the offshore wind industry. However, the investment proposals hinge on the approval of the bids submitted to the Crown Estate Scotland (CES), through its ScotWind leasing round (Insider). 

New Danish research centre awarded DKK 630 million investment for CO2 capture

The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center has been awarded DKK 630 million for developing knowledge and technology on how carbon dioxide can be captured and recycled. The research center will be based at Aarhus University in Denmark and also includes satellite institutions in the United States, Norway, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. The aim is to link competence from international interdisciplinary researchers and industrial partners in pursuing a common goal of CO2 capture and recycling. (Videnskab, Press release).

Ørsted and Williams sign MoU to explore clean energy in the US

Ørsted and Williams have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore Power-to-X projects in the US. The parties are exploring large-scale wind energy, electrolysis and synthetic gas-via-methanation development in western Wyoming where Williams owns land and natural gas infrastructure. As the first developer to operate new renewable technologies at utility scale in the US, Ørsted is set to provide the low-cost and clean electricity required for the production of synthetic natural gas and renewable hydrogen. Additionally, Williams’ energy infrastructure network which currently handles 30% of the natural gas use in the US is positioned to accommodate renewable energy storage and transport in order to develop the future of hydrogen (Press release). 

Enabling the Digital Green Transition: Nordic Co-operation 

A new study examines the potentials, challenges, and strengths of the Nordic-Baltic region regarding the enabling of the digital green transition. By mapping policies, the study points towards a policy lag in the region, where the integration between digital technologies and environmental challenges is not deeply embedded in policy documents. The study culminates in a 10-policy recommendation, suggested by expert respondents across the Nordic-Baltic countries, that aims to accelerate the green transition in five main policy areas deemed particularly relevant to the digital green transition – public funding, green data spaces, education and lifelong learning, green public procurement, and smart city strategies (Norden). 

Sweden’s Industry Minister opens SEEL in Gateway Säve, Gothenburg

The Swedish Electric Transport Laboratory (SEEL) has started the construction phase of its largest test centre in Gateway Säve, for research and development purposes in the field of electromobility. Together with the Minister of Business, Industry, and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan, Castellum, owner of Gateway Säve and Vestia Construction Group, the twin-partners of the joint venture, RISE and Chalmers held the initiation ceremony. The aim is to strengthen the position of Sweden’s research in the development of fossil-free and sustainable transport modes – electric vehicles, ships, and aircrafts. The test facility is projected to operate by 2023, and is not solely a centre for new innovations and research, but for the development of existing innovations, according to Ibrahim Baylan (Press release). 

Rambøll invests in Stavanger to drive green transition 

Rambøll Energy will strengthen its presence in Stavanger, Norway, aiming to help companies through the green transition, by developing measures to reduce emissions as well as providing them with climate friendly solutions that build on extensive knowledge and experience. According to O&M Engineer Sina Zahirian, there are opportunities on the energy market in Stavanger, that they can provide engineering services for, within all phases and segments of the energy sector (Press release).  

Savon Voima, Kuopion Energia, and Korkia conduct study on hydrogen economy

Savon Voima and Kuopion Energia explore the opportunities for a hydrogen economy in the Savo-Karelia region in Finland. It aims to evaluate industrial needs, production opportunities, and development plans as a means of identifying how energy companies can contribute to the hydrogen value chain and produce emissions-free energy for the region and in the rest of Finland. The study is set to be conducted during the autumn of 2021 in collaboration with Korkian, that focuses on sustainable development (KL).

What we’re reading

• New WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines aim to save millions of lives from air pollution (press release)

• US and China climate commitments raise hopes ahead of COP26 summit (Financial Times)

• Energy price surge intensifies backlash against Brussels carbon tax plan (Financial Times)

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