The case in summary Yara’s plans to electrify their ammonia factory on Herøya have been put on hold. The factory emits more than 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Yara believes it is challenging to proceed with full electrification of production before sufficient framework conditions and profitability are in place. Party leader in the Green Party, Arild Hermstad, criticizes the decision and believes that both Yara and the government have a responsibility to reduce emissions. Leader of Herøya Arbeiderforening, Tor-Morten Thorsen, fears that a lack of electrification could lead to job losses. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. One of the country’s largest CO₂ emission points is located on Herøya in Porsgrunn, and is Yara’s ammonia factory. It emits more than 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Corresponding to 300,000 cars. In 2020, they launched the project that they would replace gas with electricity and cut the large greenhouse gas emissions. But believed that it could be difficult to implement the plans without a certain degree of public support. Now the project on full electrification has been put on hold. Inadequate framework conditions Low-emission solutions are one of their most important strategic investments, says Tonje Næss, head of communications at Yara. Tonje Næss, head of communications at Yara. Photo: Yara The company is working on many projects to realize this. Since 2005, they have cut emissions from production on Herøya by around 60 per cent, while production has increased by 22 per cent, she says. – It is challenging to proceed with full electrification of the entire production on Herøya before sufficient framework conditions and profitability are in place. We are therefore considering other alternatives to reduce emissions. The framework conditions Yara needs are the following: Sufficient power, access to capacity in the grid to transport this power, a secure market for artificial fertilizers with a low CO2 footprint and support schemes. Yara’s ammonia factory on Herøya emits more than 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Photo: veronica westhrin / news A lot has changed since they launched the goal of fully electrifying production at Herøya in 2020. At the time, there were more stable geopolitical conditions, according to communications manager Næss. – We had access and a surplus of power at a price that the industry could pay for, and there was great optimism that there would be support schemes that would help make this type of project profitable. Unacceptable Party leader of the Green Party, Arild Hermstad, thinks it is unacceptable that the electrification of the entire plant is put on hold. – The 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ must be removed. You have to keep it alive, and you have to work to realize it. Arild Hermstad is party leader in MDG. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news He believes that it is a responsibility that Yara itself has, but that the government must also contribute to. – Yara also has a significant government stake, and that means that the company has to deliver on the climate targets. Hermstad adds that the government is far too little involved, and thinks it is very problematic. – It is the government that is responsible for Norway cutting its emissions until 2030. The fact that Yara is putting this on hold shows that the government is not in the process of reaching its climate targets. He says that the technology exists, and that political authorities are needed to prioritize both funds and power to make this happen. The start of death This is exactly what the leader of Herøya Arbeiderforening, Tor-Morten Thorsen, has feared most. – It burns quickly. We only have three or four years to manage to get enough power for Herøya. If not, I’m afraid that it will go down the wrong path for jobs in the long term. Tor-Morten Thorsen is head of the Herøya Workers’ Union. Photo: Theo Aasland Valen / news – What do you think will happen if the ammonia factory is not electrified? – It is the beginning of the death of the factory. Thorsen is convinced that Yara and the entire industry are doing everything they can to obtain enough power, but they need help and speed. – The government must get the finger out. Get something done fast. I know it won’t be done in a flash, but we have until 2030. If not, things will go badly. Facilitates faster development More power and more networks are critical if we are to achieve our climate goals, says Energy Minister Terje Aasland. Minister of Energy Terje Aasland (Ap). Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news – At the same time, we must make arrangements so that those actors who need power now get that power as quickly as possible. They have taken measures to reduce the processing queues at NVE, arranged for faster development of both power and the grid, and given the municipalities more power in the development of, for example, wind power. Yara wants more power in an area where several players want power, and where the development of more power and networks is absolutely necessary, adds Aasland. – Therefore, I hope that the municipalities in the area see their average to contribute to the local business community by finding areas that may be relevant for power development. Published 18.07.2024, at 13.34 Updated 18.07.2024, at 13.37
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Full electrification at Yara in Porsgrunn put on hold – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
