A good 2023, but challenges with energy

Sverre Gotaas, CEO of Herøya Industripark AS, looks back on 2023, a year with much activity and great effort from the employees of the industrial park company.

"There has been a lot to do, and those who are here are doing an excellent job for the companies in the industrial park.

Significant activity and optimism

"Expansions are a keyword," says Gotaas. "We know that several, both smaller and larger companies in Herøya, have plans for changes and expansions of production facilities and production areas. So there is relatively high optimism among the companies here in the industrial park. That is important for us going forward in the year."

Expansions at Nel, starting a new production line in 2024 at Herøya.

Carbon capture and hydrogen

Efforts are being made towards carbon capture and a catapult centre for testing Hydrogen infrastructure. "Projects crucial for the region, especially regarding carbon capture and hydrogen, are progressing very well," says Gotaas.

The Katapult Node Telemark and Grenland Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (GICCS), led by Powered by Telemark, are among the most important initiatives for the region at the moment, according to Gotaas.

"Finding solutions to capture all carbon dioxide emissions from the industry and making test infrastructure for hydrogen available is something I strongly believe in. I can see that research, along with the research park and SINTEF here at Herøya, is beginning to yield results. My perception is that there is a lower threshold for adopting R&D than before, especially for companies that do not have their own R&D department."

 

It is possible to reduce CO2 emissions by and additional 1 million tonnes.

 

"Several hydrogen projects have not taken off in Norway. Why are you investing in a test facility for hydrogen?"

"We look at it differently. Test centers are primarily aimed at companies with products to sell. Two of the world's largest producers of electrolysers, HydrogenPro and NEL, are located at Herøya. They need to have their equipment tested over an extended period in a safe testing environment, and we intend to contribute to that," says Gotaas.

"Even though it may seem like Norway has slowed down a bit, the world has not slowed down. With a significant amount of hydrogen handling already happening here at Herøya, we believe that the chances are higher for more hydrogen projects to come here than in many other places."

 

Yara's and the world's largest and first green hydrogen pilot plant is being built at Herøya.

Energy is a major challenge

Gotaas is concerned about the energy situation.

"Energy is the big challenge," he says. "Statnett has indicated that there won't be much improvement until they've expanded the power grid in the region, which won't happen until at least 2030. So the power issue is real throughout southeastern Norway. It creates problems for projects and companies looking to establish themselves here. We are putting a lot of energy into finding solutions to this," says Gotaas. He contributes, along with others, in various forums.

More activites from 2023

Thor Medical ASA has signed an agreement to establish pilot facilities at Herøya and will commence the planning process this autumn.

Equinor's research center in Herøya Research Park is receiving 130 million NOK for a new major expansion.

Hydro is developing a completely new production process for primary aluminium, HalZero, which emits oxygen instead of CO2.

INEOS Inovyn is investing over 60 million NOKs in a new wastwater treatment plant at the PVC plant, designed for production expansions at Herøya.

Skagerak Capital, in collaboration with board members of Powered by Telemark and Proventia, has been working to establish a regional commercial growth fund for Telemark and Vestfold. Today they launched Friar Venture.

Building 25 has undergone a major makeover, and it is now a sustainable and energy-efficient office building.

Text: Siri Krohn-Fagervoll   siri@krohnfagervoll.no