Partners eye hydrogen supply chains from Nordics to North-Western Europe

August 6, 2024, by Aida Čučuk

Provaris Energy, Norwegian Hydrogen and Uniper Global Commodities have entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop hydrogen supply chains from Norway and other potential Nordic sites to import locations in North-Western Europe using Provaris’ H2Neo carriers.

Illustration of the H2Leo floating storage integrated with H2Neo 430t carrier for loading/unloading; Courtesy of Provaris Energy

Specifically, the parties will collaborate in exploring the potential for Uniper to off-take RFNBO-compliant hydrogen, which will be produced by Norwegian Hydrogen and transported and stored using Provaris’ H2Neo carriers and H2Leo storage barges.

According to Provaris, the supply of hydrogen is crucial for the energy security and decarbonization goals of German industrial sectors and energy generators. The company claimed: “Developing a diverse portfolio of supply options for integration into national hydrogen infrastructure is vital for maintaining the competitiveness of the German economy and meeting its decarbonization targets.”

Provaris’ Managing Director and CEO Martin Carolan commented: “We are thrilled to bring our partnerships with Uniper and Norwegian Hydrogen together. This collaboration highlights the business case for compression in becoming a preferred alternative for a cost competitive solution to supply RFNBO compliant hydrogen, offering both capital and energy efficiency for regional hydrogen supply.”

Norwegian Hydrogen’s CEO Jens Berge added: “We remain highly committed to the collaboration we’ve had with Provaris since 2022, and I cannot think of a better offtake partner than Uniper to support the development of our joint projects. This new agreement is positive for all the three parties involved, and I am confident that it will bring strong and tangible results.”

To remind, in April 2024, Provaris and Norwegian Hydrogen extended their partnership to accelerate the development of new hydrogen export sites across the Nordic region.

The new projects will be strategically located in areas with strong grid connections and reliable power supplies, Provaris said, adding that these hydrogen production and export facilities and transportation of compressed hydrogen using Provaris’ H2Neo carriers will provide cost-competitive gaseous hydrogen supply to Europe.