7 September 2021

Danish government aims for energy reforms

The Danish government has presented the "Denmark can do more 1" scheme, a reform proposal that will strengthen Denmark, and which all parliamentary parties are now invited to negotiate. According to Wind Denmark, the package contains a number of positive news for both the wind turbine industry and the green transition in Denmark. Specifically

1. The government is also planning to restructure energy taxes, as the proposal calls for the electricity tax to be reduced. The government proposes to reduce the ordinary electricity tax gradually by 23 øre / kWh towards 2030. Thus, the tax will be reduced from 90 øre / kWh in 2021 to approx. 57 øre / kWh in 2030. 
2. The government proposes that a temporary research deduction of 130% be made permanent, to which the government allocates DKK 1 billion . This means that companies with innovative and creative research that contain a degree of uncertainty can deduct investments in research, corresponding to a tax value of up to DKK 50 million annually. 
3. Finally, it is planned to invest DKK 1 billion annually to the green transition "to ensure continued momentum in climate efforts" and "provide opportunities for long-term and sensible priorities that can support a greener future for Denmark". 

(Wind Denmark) 

Ørsted and Siemens Gamesa to build pilot hydrogen project in Grimsby, UK

A consortium consisting of ITM Power, Ørsted, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Element Energy is backing the Oyster project, which has previously received funding from the Joint Undertaking for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH2-JU), a public-private partnership of the European Commission. The consortium has decided to establish a pilot plant in Grimsby to develop and test an electrolysis plant on a MW scale. The project will also investigate the possibility and potential of combining an offshore wind turbine directly with an electrolysis plant and transporting renewable hydrogen to land. The Oyster consortium has chosen Grimsby because of the Humber region's strong connection to renewable energy, especially offshore wind. Grimsby is home to Ørsted's Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 projects, which will be the world's largest offshore wind farm when completed in 2022. (Energy Supply) 

Ørsted and ATP find engineering partners for energy island

Ørsted and ATP have entered into a collaboration with three leading engineering companies to support Ørsted's and ATP's bid for the future energy islands in the North Sea. According to Rasmus Errboe, Regional Director for Continental Europé, "Aarsleff, Bouygues and Van Oord form the strongest possible team for our bid ... We have chosen these world-class suppliers based on their work in sustainability and innovation to ensure that the energy island is built with respect for the North Sea's unique environment and with the highest degree of technical and commercial competence." The companies competencies are;

• Aarsleff is a Danish specialist in large projects within infrastructure, climate adaptation and energy, which will lead the construction work. Aarsleff has extensive experience with projects in the North Sea, has 7,200 employees and is headquartered in Aarhus.
• Bouygues Travaux Publics has world-leading expertise in the design, construction and operation of major offshore construction projects, such as bridges, tunnels and land reclamation. Bouygues has 58,700 employees and is headquartered in Paris.
• Van Oord is a leading specialist in marine contracting and has more than 150 years of experience. Van Oord employs 5,000 people and focuses on excavation, land reclamation and offshore wind. Van Oord is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

(Maritime Denmark)

Norwegian Government to give NOK 6.9 billion to ocean centre

The government proposes to allocate NOK 6.9 billion to build the Ocean Space Center in Trondheim. The proposal must be ratified by Norway’s parliament (Stortinget). The centre will be one of the world's most advanced for research, education and innovation in ocean technology and will be a national research infrastructure for Norwegian research environments and business. (Khrono)

The most interesting companies in Finland’s circular economy

Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund, has compiled a list of the most interesting economies currently operating in the circular economy in Finland. The 41 companies are divided into five groups according to the circular economy business model they represent: Product as a Service, Distribution Platforms, Renewability, Life Cycle Extension, and Resource Efficiency and Recycling.

Finland believes that there is an international need for pioneering examples. Kari Herlevi, a project manager in Sitra's circular economy function said: “Finland is seen as a pioneer of the circular economy, especially in Europe. The list has aroused international interest. At the same time, every company on the list is an ambassador for the circular economy in the world.” (For more, including the list, read here)

Another hydrogen production and export plant is planned for Norway

Plans for the newest hydrogen production and export facility were unveiled for Moszone in Norway. Gen2 Energy, which is behind the energy project, and it wants to start producing hydrogen in 2024. (Net Nord) 

H2 Energy Europe plans 1 GW of green hydrogen production from Nordic wind

Swiss energy company H2 Energy Europe plans to use electricity from offshore wind farms in the North Sea to power a 1GW green hydrogen production complex in Denmark. The production plant is set to become operational in 2024 and to be capable of producing up to 90,000 tonnes of green hydrogen annually. (Renewables Now)

Strandmöllen receives investment support for hydrogen production

Klimatklivet, a Swedish government finance program, has granted Strandmöllen AB investment support for the construction of a plant for hydrogen production in Småland, Sweden. The plant in Ljungby is to have a capacity of 2 MW and is expected to be operational in the autumn of 2023. This will enable Strandmöllen’s participation towards a greener future with a newly paved hydrogen project focusing on heavy vehicles, and a goal of becoming a leading Swedish hydrogen producer.

Strandmöllen has been producing hydrogen in Denmark for 60 years, with a focus on hydrogen for passenger cars, and delivers hydrogen to a number of development projects for heavy vehicles in Sweden. (Vätgas Sverige)

What we’re reading

• VW’s electric transition ‘impossible’ to accelerate, warns boss (Financial Times)
• Plastics: The costs to society and the economy (World Wildlife Fund)
• Holcim launches nature-positive strategy with measurable 2030 biodiversity and water targets (wbscd)
• BP sizes up former oil refinery as industrial renewable hydrogen hub (RenewEconomy)

---

---