A broad partnership of ocean-based partners are now strenghtening their partnership in a joint initative to cope with future climate changes. They are looking for the best partners, and welcome all who would like to tap into the Norwegian value chains, like the pilot Nothern Lights in Øygarden. Photo: Svein Ove Søreide.

Blue Quantum - a joint leap to solve the climate conundrums

The ocean-based partners in Western Norway further strengthen the level of collaboration to solve the future climate challenges. 460 companies are represented in the initiative "Blue Quantum Leap", whose aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, produce affordable and renewable energy and secure increased exports.

The goal for the "Blue Quantum Leap" initiative is to be a driving force for green energy transition and future-oriented business development in the Norwegian ocean-based industries. Today, these industries account for 80 percent of Norwegian export. But more than half of this activity is in the oil and gas sector. To comply with the goals to reduce emissions, this production will need to be substituted with renewable energy.

Strenghtens partnership

– We must acknowledge that the pace in this race is to slow. We have several strong renewable value chains, we have skilled companies and clusters, but we are working to fragmented. Through the "Blue Quantum Leap," we will develop and finance large innovation programmes and develop new value chains. In short: We will work broader, more coordinated and more targeted towards the markets, said cluster leader Owe Hagesæther in GCE Ocean Technology when presenting the initiative in Bergen this week.

"Blue Quantum Leap" is based on years of regional collaboration, both in different regional clusters, partnerships and between companies. The initiative is developed by the industry clusters GCE Ocean Technology in Bergen, Energy Transition Norway in Stavanger and GCE Blue Maritime in Ålesund, in collaboration with the consulting company PwC. The process is financed by the counties of Vestland, Rogaland and Møre og Romsdal. The clusters represent 460 companies.

– To succeed in solving our biggest climate threats, we must consolidate our efforts across regions and sectors. The "Blue Quantum Leap" is a national initiative. Our mission is to raise ambitions, accelerate the pace, and strengthen the implementation capacity and collaboration, said cluster leaders Tor Arnesen, Owe Hagesæther and Kirsti Slotsvik when they launched the project.

Scope: Future energy systems and clean shipping

The initial scope is future energy system at sea (offshore wind, CCUS, hydrogen) and green maritime solutions. At a later stage, other parts of the ocean industries, such as seafood and aquaculture, may also be included.

Renewable offshore energy is a core business for the western part of Norway. As part of the region, Greater Bergen has played and will continue to play a central role in developing this core business for years to come. Greater Bergen region also offers a complete maritime commercial value chain and is currently pioneering sustainable ship design and equipment with digital transition on every level. The focus is on reducing emissions and costs through research and development in newbuilds, retrofits, and upgrades.

The goal for the "Blue Quantum Leap" is scheduled to a five-year program period to be operational from January 2025.

Norwegian all-electric sightseeing vessel "Future of the Fjords" is a good exapmle of technology that is leading the way in providing emission-free marine transportation.

Together makes stronger

The Western ocean-industry community supports the initiative and reminded that the partners also today acknowledge the strength that lies in collaboration. They also emphasize that the flip side of challenges is opportunities.

- The energy transition we are facing is the biggest change in our time. To succeed we need to work together. Partnerships like this is vital to be able to be at our best, says Regional Director Vestland Helene Frihammer in the employer’s organization NHO.

The initiative also has strong business support. Supplie of zero-emission solutions for all segments in the maritime industry, Corvus Energy, will happily participate in the new partnership.

- We strongly appreciate the cluster factor present in our region. No company can solve the future climate changes alone. Collaboration puts us all in a stronger position globally, commented Kristin Sand Bakken, Innovation manager in Corvus Energy.

Kristin Sand Bakken, Innovation manager in Corvus Energy, Regional Director Vestland Helene Frihammer in the employer’s organization NHO and cluster leader Owe Hagesæther in GCE Ocean Technology are confident that strenghtening the collaboration will strenghten the martime value chains.

Inviting the best players

The initiative is based on broad collaboration and inclusion.

- Our goal is to identify the best partners. We will also work with companies who are not member of the formal network and welcome all businesses who would like to participate in our joint forces, concludes Hagesæther.

Don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors if Invest in Bergen and our network can help you and your company navigate in the vibrant Greater Bergen ocean industry.

Check the details in Blue Quantum Leap business plan Owe Hagesæther presented for the community.