The Norwegian government has outlined a roadmap for developing hydrogen in the nation which includes establishing hubs in areas of maritime transport and boosting hydrogen research.

Norway has established a goal to be a low-emission society by 2050 and have identified hydrogen as a crucial carrier in achieving this ambition.

Hydrogen could be utilised as a key component in decarbonising areas of the transportation – especially the maritime sector.

At the same time, both the market and associated technologies need to develop and therefore the Norwegian government will be directing its efforts into these areas.

The vision presented in the roadmap suggests that, by 2050, a market for the production and use of hydrogen will have been established in Norway.

In the short-term, the government will seek to facilitate, in collaboration with the private sector, the establishment of five hydrogen hubs to support maritime transportation by 2025.

The government will also strive for the establishment of one or two industrial projects with associated production facilities, as well as five to ten pilot projects for the development and demonstration of new, cost-effective hydrogen solutions and technology.

The government has also revised its national budget, pledging finance for the development of infrastructure and markets for hydrogen and establish a research centre for environmentally friendly (FME) with a focus on hydrogen and ammonia.

In the medium-term future, up to 2030, the government’s ambition is that hydrogen will be established as a realistic alternative in the maritime sector and that there will be the prospect of market-based development.

There are already considerable funding schemes in place to support the development of hydrogen in Norway.

However, the coordination of funding agencies is a key element of this roadmap and will make it easier for the authorities to closely monitor and follow up good ideas and initiatives that emerge in the hydrogen sector.