6 April 2022
The Swedish Government is accelerating the expansion of wind power
Earlier today, the Government announced a wind power package to accelerate the expansion of cheap and green electricity in Sweden. The package consists of four decisions to meet the increased electricity demand and to strengthen the country. The municipal veto (the right to say year or no to wind power projects) is retained, and a rapid inquiry into strengthened incentives for municipalities and local communities for expanded wind power is appointed.
“We will ensure that the inhabitants of municipalities that agree to wind power receive increased benefits. In addition, we are increasing the pace of wind power that is built far out at sea, which is generally neither heard nor seen from land”, said Minister for Climate and the Environment, Annika Strandhäll (S).
Norway says yes to extended electricity support and no to new foreign cables
The Norwegian Government and opposition party SV have agreed on extendending an electricity subsidy until March 2023. The support will increase to 90% when electricity costs more than NOK 0.70 per KWh in October, November and December. At the same time, Norway will not allow any new international cables into the country. “The Government is also working on lasting measures, such as gaining control over electricity exports, saying no to new foreign cables and investing heavily in the development of renewable energy”, said Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, fiscal policy spokesperson in the Centre Party.
Norway and Sweden agree on intensified cooperation on CCS
Following a meeting in Stockholm, the two Prime Ministers have agreed to intensify cooperation on carbon capture, transport and storage (CCS) and will put in place an agreement between Norway and Sweden on the export and import of CO2 as soon as possible. The agreement will enable Norwegian and Swedish companies to cooperate on permanent storage of CO2 on the Norwegian continental shelf.
Ørsted enters into cooperation with Spanish oil giant Repsol
Danish Ørsted has identified Spain as a future growth market. As a result, the energy giant has entered into cooperation with Spanish oil giant Repsol to develop floating offshore wind in the country. According to Rasmus Errboe, Ørsted’s Regional Director for Continental Europe, now is the right time to enter the market for floating offshore wind.
Norwegian industrial giants join forces to accelerate battery production
The three companies Hydro, Altor and Elkem have partnered up with the intention of accelerating the growth of Vianode, a manufacturer of sustainable battery materials. Hydro and Altor will have a 30% stake in Vianode, which has previously been wholly owned by Elkem. The partners plan to make an investment decision, estimated at NOK 2 billion, for a potential first-phase facility at Herøya in Porsgrunn during the first half of 2022. The facility is expected to produce graphite for more than 20,000 electric cars per year.
PowerCell and Siemens Energy sign expanded cooperation agreement
The two companies PowerCell and Siemens Energy have recently signed an agreement on increased cooperation in fuel cell-based propulsion and power generation systems for ships. The agreement follows the memorandum of understanding that the two companies signed in August 2018. As part of the expanded collaboration, Siemens Energy has placed an order for a customised marine fuel cell module of 100kW.
Strandmöllen AB buys 3MW electrolyser from FEST Gmbh
Swedish company Strandmöllen AB has purchased a 3MW electrolyser from FEST Gmbh following Strandmöllen’s ongoing construction of a production facility to supply green hydrogen to the Swedish market. The electrolyser will be put into operation in July 2023. The hydrogen project, which is part-financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, is part of a larger collaboration between Strandmöllen, Ljungby Energi, PS Energi and Ljungby municipality.
Enova grants financial support of over NOK 100 million
HeidelCement and Felleskjøpet Agri have, together with Ulvan Rederi, received NOK 104 million in support from Enova to build the world’s first zero-emission bulk carrier. This means that Egil Ulvan Rederi is ready to build the zero-emission cargo ship “With Orca”, which is estimated to be put into operation in 2024. Enova has also provided financial support of NOK 14 million for the bunkering solution from Statkraft and Skagerak Energi, which will supply the hydrogen-powered cargo ship.
Maersk invests billions in new offshore wind turbines
On 29 March, Mundus Nordic Green News reported that Maersk Supply Service has signed a contract with Empire Offshore Wind for the installation of U.S. offshore wind farms Empire 1 and 2. The contract includes an installation concept which combines a new Wind Installation Vessel designed to enable safe transfer of cargo. According to the media, the Danish group has now ordered a specialised vessel which will be finalised in 3 years and used to set up huge wind turbines at sea. Maersk will not reveal the price of the purchase, but similar vessels cost around DKK 2.5 billion.
Green Hydrogen Systems receives order from Gaznat
Green Hydrogen Systems has received an order from Swiss company Gaznat for the supply of the electrolysis equipment GHS HyProvide A90 which will be used to produce green hydrogen from solar energy at Gaznat’s Innovation Lab in Switzerland. When things are up and running, the equipment will have the capacity to deliver 195 kg of green hydrogen per day. Green Hydrogen Systems’ share rose 1.9% following the purchase order.
Quantafuel and Geminor sign agreement to increase waste plastic recycling
The plastic recycling company Quantafuel and resource management company Geminor have entered into cooperation for the supply and treatment of up to 30,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. The sourced plastic waste will be recycled at Quantafuel’s mechanical and chemical recycling plant in Kristiansund and the products made from the plastic waste will be shipped to the Norwegian as well as international market for the production of new plastic products.
ABB and HydrogenPro collaborate to optimise production of green hydrogen
ABB has signed an agreement with HydrogenPro to supply electrical equipment for the world’s largest single alkaline high pressure electrolysis; a system which generates hydrogen by using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. When put into operation at a specially built test facility in Herøya in 2022, the system will be able to produce 1,100 Nm3/h of green hydrogen per hour.
What we’re reading
- French Power Crunch Is So Acute Carrefour Is Dimming the Lights (Bloomberg)
About Nordic Green News
The Nordic countries are some of the most dynamic and successful economies in the world. They are also leaders in sustainability, from renewable energy, biofuels, carbon capture and storage and the hydrogen economy, circular economy business models and battery development, the Nordics are pioneers in policy design, technology development and consumer uptake. Mundus Nordic Green News is covering this transition for the international community. Every day we curate the stories of most relevance to international businesspeople and policy experts from the flow of news. Mundus Nordic Green Indices summarise the meta-data from our daily coverage to enable easy tracking of trends. We supplement these with our own opinion pieces and commentary.
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