Greater Bergen - a key player in the global hydrogen economy

Hydrogen plays a crucial role in the green shift and will play an important part in the global transition to sustainable energy. During Arendalsuka, the possibilities and challenges for the global hydrogen future were discussed from various angles.

Off takers in several industries

Hydrogen is a clean energy source. When hydrogen is used as fuel, particularly in fuel cells, it combines with oxygen to produce electricity, with water as the only by-product. Further, hydrogen can store energy from intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. This stored hydrogen can later be converted back into electricity or used as fuel, helping to balance supply and demand in the grid and ensuring a stable energy supply.

The off takers are several. Hydrogen can be used in various forms—directly as fuel, in fuel cells, or as a feedstock in chemical processes. This flexibility makes it an integral part of the green shift across multiple sectors, including power generation, heating, transportation, and industry.

Until now, hydrogen has mostly been mentioned as important in various transport sectors. Fuel cells are a promising technology for decarbonizing heavy transport sectors like shipping, aviation, and long-haul trucking, where battery-electric solutions might not be practical due to weight or range limitations.

However, as hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in energy-intensive industries, it is key to industries where electrification alone may not be feasible - like steel, cement, and chemicals. Green hydrogen, produced using renewable energy, is especially important for these sectors.

Mongstad base is one of the most important locations in Greater Bergen, where hydogen is a key for several circular symbiosis projects.

Strategic geographical location

Countries investing in hydrogen infrastructure can leverage it for energy exports, especially where renewable energy resources are abundant. This positions hydrogen not only as a domestic energy solution, but also as a global energy commodity.

Norway’s government has been proactive in promoting hydrogen as a key component of its energy strategy. These measures include funding for research and development, subsidies for hydrogen projects, and regulatory frameworks that facilitate market growth.

Through the project “Grøn region” Vestland county has committed to expanding its renewable energy capacity by ensuring a steady and sustainable supply of green hydrogen. The county also recently kicked off the 2CoVE (Hydrogen Competence and Vocational Education) project.  The goal is to build local ecosystems for skills and create targeted educational programs to support the emerging hydrogen industry. The project is part of the Erasmus+ program and involves 19 partners from five countries, including Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, Estonia, and Ukraine.

Greater Bergen is now emerging as a player in the global hydrogen supply chain. As the market for hydrogen and ammonia is growing rapidly in Europe, Vestland has a strategic location on the North Sea coast, with easy access to European markets. The proximity to major shipping routes and the region’s strong maritime heritage makes it an ideal location for exporting hydrogen and related technologies. A well-developed infrastructure supports the entire hydrogen value chain. The region boasts modern ports, efficient logistics networks, and state-of-the-art facilities for hydrogen production and distribution. This infrastructure is critical for scaling up hydrogen projects and ensuring seamless integration into existing energy systems.

The region has several commercial areas with availability. You can see more details here. Don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors if you see opportunities in this area.

The Deep Purple project in the Tyssedal and Odda regions aims to create a secure and reliable system for storing compressed hydrogen underwater. The project is a continuation of Tizir’s hydrogen conversion plans and will play a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for hydrogen in the area. 

Strong partnerships

Bergen is already home to several companies in the hydrogen sector with a solid industry legacy. Today they are at the forefront of developing and commercializing modern hydrogen technologies. Together with several other Norwegian companies, they are carrying the torch from the Norwegian industry titan Sam Eyde, who founded Norsk Hydro. While Sam Eyde's primary focus was on industrializing Norway and producing fertilizers, the methods and infrastructure developed under his leadership laid the groundwork for modern hydrogen technology. This legacy is important when it comes to producing hydrogen in a secure and safe environment.

Also, the presence of world-class research institutions and universities in Bergen are important for securing innovation in hydrogen technologies. Collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and government are driving advancements in hydrogen production, storage, and utilization. These partnerships are essential for developing efficient and cost-effective hydrogen solutions.

The Energy Park in Kollsnes is a HUB for climate-friendly industries where hydrogen plays an important role.The location along one of Norway's main sea routes is important to serve the European market. One prospect is a pipeline infrastructure between Norway and Europe, making it possible for Norwegian sites to export natural gas converted into hydrogen, while capturing the CO₂. Photo: CCB Energy Park.