Norway’s Hydrogen Strategy: Unveiling Green Opportunities and Blue Export Ambitions

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter examines the challenges and prospects for Norway’s internal and external hydrogen strategy from around 2019, when Norway’s low-carbon hydrogen policies and activities began to gain traction. Norway has taken a technology-neutral approach to ‘green’ and ‘blue’ hydrogen technologies linked to reducing emissions. Two end-use sectors have been prioritized: maritime transport and energy-intensive industries. This strategy is based on Norway’s energy mix, industry structure/interest and research competence. Climate concerns appear as the predominant motivation underlying the Norwegian government’s low-carbon hydrogen strategy, with industrial value creation as an additional key goal. Political priorities roughly align with actual funding priorities, as there has been a massive increase in direct state aid to low-carbon hydrogen projects. Externally, Norway’s hydrogen strategy has potential significance for Europe, particularly for countries with maritime interests and high hydrogen import needs. However, Norway’s technology-neutral approach differs from those of most other European countries. What Norway’s hydrogen strategy will mean for Europe remains to be seen—but its main interests centre on the export of ‘blue’ hydrogen, with ‘green’ hydrogen reserved primarily for meeting domestic needs.