Horisont Energi AS’ Project Barents Blue, the first world-scale blue ammonia plant, has been selected by Enova as one of five hydrogen projects in Norway to be considered for a matchmaking process with other Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI).
The Barents Blue project is a world-scale clean ammonia project in Finnmark in Northern Norway, which includes planned CO2 storage offshore. The facility will convert clean hydrogen into ammonia, an easily transported hydrogen carrier, which can be converted back to hydrogen at the destination. If selected for the matchmaking process, Horisont Energi will be able to link Barents Blue with other projects and value chains in Norway and in the European Union (EU), benefiting from knowledge transfer, market size and other economies of scale.
Horisont Energi CEO Bjørgulf Haukelidsæter Eidesen:
Being evaluated as a candidate for IPCEI is a testimony to the significant potential residing in Project Barents Blue, which we aim to make the most environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient ammonia plant in the world
Hydrogen is an environment and climate-friendly energy carrier. Thus, hydrogen technology holds significant decarbonisation potential for the industry, transport and energy sectors. It allows emission-free production, storage and utilisation of energy. Developing hydrogen technology and markets is a key element of the EU’s plan to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
IPCEI was established to accelerate this development. Norway has joined the IPCEI initiative for hydrogen, and Enova manages the participation of Norwegian companies in the initiative. Enova received 25 applications, of which five were selected, including Horisont Energi.
IPCEI is a mechanism for promoting investments in cross-border R&D and industrial projects of particular importance for European development. IPCEI’s are large innovation projects that often involve a great deal of risk, and which require a coordinated effort and cross-border investments from public authorities and industries in several member states to be realised. They are particularly aimed at new industrial areas that are not realised due to various barriers.
Although IPCEI projects are European projects, the process starts nationally, and national funds are used in each country.
Read more on the IPCEI Hydrogen process here: https://www.enova.no/ipcei/
Barents Blue Project one of five Norwegian projects under consideration for IPCEI, March 19, 2021
