Christmas Greeting
Now it's almost Christmas, and we can look back on a eventful year where several projects have reached important milestones, many MOU's have been signed, and new collaborations established. Several members have successfully raised private capital, and multiple projects have also received support from different national funding schemes and the EU. It was also inspiring to participate in the opening of the world's first facility that integrates production of hydrogen and Co2 Capture at Kollsnes in October.
Enova's enhanced focus on maritime hydrogen
At the same time, we must acknowledge that as an industry, we had hoped to have made more progress in building a market for hydrogen than what we have seen in 2023. There is still a need for clear frameworks and effective measures that enable the realization of projects and attract customers. Contracts for difference have been pointed out as a necessary and precise tool. At the year's end, Enova announces a strengthened focus on hydrogen and ammonia in the maritime sector. Not through contracts for difference, but by increasing investment support by up to 80% for both producers and end-users. After a thorough assessment, Enova has decided that this could be the tool contributing to the first well-functioning value chains and profitability in the projects. Join us in the Webinar on January 16th to learn more about Enova's new support programs.
EU's ETS Expansion & Hydrogen Plans
There are significant developments happening around us, and in December, the Norwegian Parliament adopted changes in the climate quota, incorporating the shipping industry into the EU's Emission Trading System (ETS) from January 1, 2024. This will bring significant changes for shipping companies navigating to, from, and within Europe, with ships over 5000 gross tons. During the European Hydrogen Week 2023 in November, President Ursula von der Leyen announced in her opening speech that the EU Commission will launch the second round of auctions with 2.2 billion Euros under the European Hydrogen Bank in spring 2024. Additionally, there will be new rounds of hydrogen-related calls within the EU's Clean Hydrogen Partnership - we encourage you to join the Webinar on January 4th where both EU calls and the hydrogen bank are on the agenda.
We have many challenges ahead that needs to be addressed, but also significant opportunities that we will work together to achieve in 2024. We take this opportunity to thank you for a very good collaboration within the cluster in 2023. Thank you for finding time to participate in our forums during a busy time, for valuable dialogues and input throughout the year, for involving us in projects and initiatives, and seeing the cluster as a useful tool to achieve our common goal of realizing the value chains for hydrogen and ammonia. Mark your calendars for October 30th - 31st, 2024, for The Maritime Hydrogen Conference in Florø. We look forward to seeing you there and to all we will collaborate on in the coming year!
As of the new year, we are pleased to announce a strengthened team with ten dedicated colleagues in Hub for Ocean and Ocean Hyway Cluster, with six employees in Florø (two on maternity leave) and one in Drammen. Additionally, we have three colleagues based in Sandefjord, Bergen, and Ulsteinvik. With this competent and complementary team, we are ready to assist you in the upcoming year and are motivated to embrace new, exciting opportunities emerging regionally, nationally and internationally.
With these words, we wish you all a wonderful pre-holiday time. Take care of each other and show compassion for everyone along your way.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎄
Best regards from all of us at Ocean Hyway Cluster
Hi!
Do you have comments on our holiday greeting? Feel free to get in touch.
Kristin Svardal
CEO
+47 905 12 728
kristin(a)hubforocean.no