The Gothenburg Port Authority (GPA) and the Norwegian energy company Statkraft are investigating the set-up of a 4.0 MW facility in the Swedish seaport.

The parties are conducting a preliminary study, expected to be completed at the beginning of 2022, chiefly focused on safety aspects.

Once inked, the SEK60m (€6.1m) investment can be up and running in 2023, delivering two tonnes of hydrogen per day.

"The Port of Gothenburg is Scandinavia's largest port and as a hub for transport by sea, rail, and road, it operates a wide range of heavy freight-handling equipment. Hydrogen has the potential to replace fossil-based diesel for all these items of equipment," Arvid Guthed, Vice President, Port Development, GPA, commented.

He added, "We know there is already significant demand in and around the port for using equipment powered by hydrogen. A number of companies and organisations are ready and waiting and we are convinced that local production of hydrogen would represent a breakthrough."

"Statkraft is the largest supplier of renewable energy in Europe, and we maintain that renewable hydrogen will be critical if we are to achieve carbon-free transport within the near future. This project will increase the potential for this development by contributing to the transition to a fossil-free transport sector on land and at sea," Per Rosenqvist, CEO, Statkraft Hydrogen Sweden, also said.

Sweden's goal is to reduce emissions from domestic transport by 70% by 2030. According to the January 2021-published Fossil-Free Sweden Hydrogen Gas Strategy, hydrogen projects planned in the country are currently reducing just over 30% of the total national carbon emissions. The Port of Gothenburg also has a 70% reduction climate goal, encompassing both the port and transport to and from it throughout the Gothenburg region.

Photo: Statkraft