Enova has awarded over NOK 777 million ($70.8m) in funding to five hydrogen production projects along the Norwegian coast, the state-owned company said Tuesday.

Kallanish understands the funding aims to spearhead hydrogen’s use in the shipping sector. The goal is to establish the “first functioning value chain” in the country, enabling the fuel to become more accessible and sustainable in the future.

“The projects that receive support will be part of a network of hydrogen producers along the Norwegian coastline, from Slagentangen in the southeast to Bodø in the north,” explains Nils Kristian Nakstad, ceo of Enova. “This will make hydrogen more accessible to those who want to focus on sustainable shipping.”

The winning projects include the 10-megawatt (MW) Slagen Energy Hub being developed by GreenH, ExxonMobil, Grieg Edge and North Ammonia. The project, which targets a potential production of 20,000 tonnes/year of green hydrogen, has secured NOK 144m.

HyFuel, a joint venture between Fjord Base, Hydrogen Solutions, and Sogn og Fjordane Energi, will receive NOK 180m to develop its 20-MW plant in Florø. A final investment decision for the project is planned for the first quarter of next year.

The Kaupanes Expansion Project has secured NOK 206m for the 20-MW expansion of an already operational 1-MW renewable hydrogen facility at the Eigersund Harbour. The plant, owned by Dalane Energi, is operated by Hydrogen Solution through Kaupanes Hydrogen. Eigersund Næring og Havn also holds a 3% stake in the project.

Meanwhile, GreenH secured NOK 118.66m for a 10-MW project in Kristiansund, and a separate NOK 128.65m for a project in Bodø. 

“The Norwegian maritime sector is leading the way, once again,” comments climate and environment minister, Tore O. Sandvik. “These projects can cut emissions in Norway, but will also contribute to the transition in the rest of Europe and the world.”