On Wednesday, Avinor, the Swedish counterpart Swedavia, SAS, French Airbus and the Swedish energy company Vatenfall met in Stockholm. There they signed a cooperation agreement to develop infrastructure for hydrogen at Norwegian and Swedish airports. – We are doing this to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the industry. We don’t do this because it’s easy or fun, but because it’s absolutely necessary, says Avinor’s head of sustainability, Olav Mosvold Larsen. The collaboration will contribute to knowledge and understanding of how hydrogen aircraft work and how the infrastructure at the airports must be arranged. CEO of Avinor, Abraham Foss. Photo: Catchlight/Avinor – Hydrogen is emerging as a central energy carrier in the fossil-free aviation of the future. Norway and Sweden are well positioned to be an early mover in the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft, says CEO of Avinor, Abraham Foss. In contrast to conventional fossil-fuelled aircraft, hydrogen aircraft are emission-free. The players write that they have a goal of net zero carbon emissions from aviation in 2050. – The aircraft manufacturers tell us that there may be operational hydrogen aircraft in Norway towards the end of the 20th century. But there are many caveats and uncertainties here. Airbus’s project with large hydrogen aircraft points towards 2035, says Larsen. The agreement was signed in Stockholm. Photo: Avinor Major upgrades required Major upgrades are required at the airports to be able to convert to use hydrogen aircraft. – This will require major restructuring in the entire aviation ecosystem, says Larsen. Currently, Avinor does not know how much such upgrades will cost, or who will foot the bill. – But we are keen to do this both in a company-economically and socially-economically favorable way, says Larsen. Stavanger Airport Sola. Photo: Øystein Løwer / Avinor Initially, this project will look at the possibilities for upgrades at the larger airports in Norway. – But we are preparing for the fact that hydrogen will be applicable at all our airports, says Larsen. – Has great potential Airbus is at the forefront of the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft. They aim to have the first hydrogen aircraft in commercial operation in 2035. – Norway and Sweden are among the most demanding regions for aviation and have great potential for hydrogen production from renewable energy sources, says Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus. CEO of SAS, Anko van der Werff. Photo: TT NEWS AGENCY / Reuters The CEO of SAS, Anko van der Werff, says that the world has taken important steps towards a more sustainable future. – By collaborating with some of the strongest and most innovative players in the industry, we take responsibility for driving the transition towards net zero emissions, he says.
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Shall cooperate on hydrogen investment at Norwegian airports: – Absolutely necessary
