Aker Horizons awarded up to NOK 135 million in financing from Innovation Norway for Rjukan green hydrogen project

Aker Horizons ASA, a developer of green energy and industry, announced that Aker Horizons Asset Development, the company’s wholly-owned asset development arm dedicated to hydrogen projects, has been awarded up to NOK 135 million in grants and loans from Innovation Norway for the green hydrogen production facility at Rjukan, in Eastern Norway.

Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Government’s key instrument for supporting the innovation and development of Norwegian enterprises and industry, is awarding up to NOK 85 million in grants and up to NOK 50 million in green growth loans to the Rjukan project, subject to certain terms and conditions. The Rjukan project will produce approximately 9 tonnes per day of green hydrogen from a 20 MW electrolyser capacity.

Existing infrastructure and industrial land and available hydropower at the site have been secured, and the project aims to be an early industry mover in green hydrogen production. Aker Horizons plans to make a final investment decision for Rjukan by the end of 2023, with an estimated commercial operation date in 2025.

“We greatly appreciate the financial support from Innovation Norway for our hydrogen project at Rjukan, which will further derisk the project and enable us to accelerate the scaling up of hydrogen production. Rjukan is an important frontrunner in our portfolio and will serve as a blueprint for our larger projects, such as our large-scale green ammonia project in Narvik. Our goal is for green hydrogen to become a cost-competitive climate solution to reach net zero, both in Norway and globally,” said Knut Nyborg.

“The development of new technology for the production and commercialization of green hydrogen plays an important role in Norway’s green energy transition. The Rjukan green hydrogen project is an early mover and an innovative project with great growth potential, which can contribute to increased mainland exports from Norway,” said Håkon Haugli.

The development of a value chain for the sustainable production, distribution and use of hydrogen produced with no or low emissions is an important component of the Norwegian Government’s Green Industrial Initiative roadmap, announced in June 2022.

From Rjukan, Aker Horizons will deliver compressed hydrogen to industry, shipping and mobility off-takers in Eastern Norway. The company recently completed a pre-FEED for civil works and the permitting process for the project is underway. Partnership discussions on the project are progressing well and Aker Horizons has secured a letter of intent for a substantial amount of the offtake for Rjukan.

“The Rjukan green hydrogen plant will entail several hundred million kroner in investments and create new green jobs. We are working closely with Tinn municipality, Rjukan Chamber of Commerce and local industrial actors, to explore opportunities for utilizing the waste heat from the hydrogen production for other industrial processes, thereby supporting local circular economic development,” said Ragnhild Stokholm.

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