Yara, Aker, Statkraft set up Hegra to support decarbonisation

Yara, Aker Clean Hydrogen and Statkraft today (16th August) have established a joint venture to accelerate and decarbonise the ammonia plant at Heroya, enabling large-scale green ammonia production.

Hegra (HEroya GReen Ammonia) is co-owned by Yara, Aker Clean Hydrogen and Statkraft, where each own one third.

The aim is to create a new industry in Norway that provides a competitive advantage in a growing global hydrogen economy, establishes green jobs for the future, and forms the basis for a future Norwegian export industry.

Green ammonia will be produced using renewable energy, enabling the production of carbon-free fertiliser and zero-emission fuel for the maritime sector. Hegra can be Norway’s largest climate initiative and will reduce CO2 emissions by 800k tonnes/year, equivalent to 300k fossil-fueled cars.

The maritime and processing industries in Norway are important export industries and comprise more than 100k jobs. To cope with the rising emissions costs in the processing, the Norwegian industry and maritime sector need access to clean hydrogen and ammonia.

The project could be materialised within 5-7 years, subject to availability of power at the site, and the required public co-funding is in place. Hegra is set to meet the ambition of the European Commission’s Fit for 55 package, which aims to reduce EU emissions by 55% by 2030.

The project will give Norway a competitive advantage within renewable energy and hydrogen and put Norway in a great position to reach climate ambitions.

Auke Lont, Chairman of Hegra’s Board, said that the project would mark the beginning of developing a Norwegian value chain for green ammonia and hydrogen.

Auke Lont, the former CEO of Statnett, has been appointed as the incoming Chairman. He said that Hegra is looking forward to engaging with authorities and the industry on how to realise one of the first large-scale industrial projects within green hydrogen and ammonia in Norway.