Hellesylt Hydrogen Hub Becomes Norway’s First RFNBO-Certified Hydrogen Production Site
Norwegian Hydrogen has achieved a significant milestone in the development of Norway’s renewable hydrogen industry, with its Hellesylt Hydrogen Hub becoming the country’s first hydrogen production site to receive Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBO) certification.
The certification was issued by ISCC – International Sustainability and Carbon Certification on July 31, 2026, confirming that hydrogen produced at Hellesylt meets the European Union’s requirements for RFNBOs, including criteria covering renewable electricity sourcing, sustainability and traceability from the power source through to the finished hydrogen.
The certification gives hydrogen produced at Hellesylt access to European applications, compliance markets and support schemes where RFNBO-certified renewable hydrogen is required under the EU regulatory framework.
The milestone comes as Europe’s hydrogen market becomes increasingly focused not only on production capacity but also on proving the renewable origin and sustainability of hydrogen. Certification provides customers with documented evidence that the hydrogen meets the regulatory requirements governing renewable fuels in Europe.
For Norwegian Hydrogen, the Hellesylt certification also builds on experience gained at its Danish operations. In 2024, the company’s Grøn Brint facility in Denmark received what Norwegian Hydrogen described as the first RFNBO certificate issued in the industry.
With Hellesylt now certified, the company has extended its RFNBO-certified production footprint into Norway and strengthened its ability to supply customers operating in regulated European hydrogen markets.
“This milestone confirms again that the quality systems and routines we’ve built are robust enough to meet the strictest requirements in Europe. It strengthens our position and trust with customers who depend on regulatory compliance, not just supply,” said Jens Berge, CEO of Norwegian Hydrogen.
The certification process required Norwegian Hydrogen to strengthen documentation and traceability throughout the Hellesylt production chain, including the renewable hydropower used to produce hydrogen and the subsequent delivery of the finished product.
According to Site Manager Kåre Nerem, the work involved tightening documentation and traceability across every stage of production while maintaining operations at the facility.
The Hellesylt certification highlights the increasing importance of regulatory compliance in Europe’s emerging hydrogen economy. As the EU establishes requirements for renewable hydrogen, producers able to demonstrate certified renewable sourcing and full supply-chain traceability may be better positioned to participate in regulated markets.
For Norwegian Hydrogen, the milestone adds a new layer of commercial qualification to Hellesylt Hydrogen Hub and reinforces the company’s strategy of developing renewable hydrogen production aligned with European regulatory requirements.
