The case in summary: The state changes the rules for climate support after NOK 300 million went to a Dutch company that barely operates in Norway. The award arouses strong reactions as it has been politically decided that these support schemes should benefit Norwegian value chains. In a new twist, Enova takes action and changes the support criteria to counteract more “leakage” abroad. Teknisk Ukeblad reports that Enova is changing the rules after the Dutch shipping company Maris Fiducia set up a one-man office in Western Norway and received NOK 299 million in Enova support to build five hydrogen ships. None of the ships will go to Norway, and will not affect the Norwegian climate calculation. The change takes effect at the next announcement, but has not stopped the reactions that climate support “disappears” abroad instead of contributing here at home. The stated intention of Enova is that the national government should stimulate green investments and emission reductions in Norway. – It is time that both the enforcement apparatus and certain politicians take responsibility for who they are going to represent, says Asle B. Strønen, who is director of Norwegian Shipyard. Norway has set itself the goal of halving emissions from shipping by 2030. To reach the goal, it is estimated that Norway needs 1,100 new low-emission and zero-emission ships. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Luftfoto – It is completely hopeless that money disappears in this way Daily leader of the Maritime Forum, John Anders Lindtveit Røse, says that “the enforcement apparatus should emphasize the connection to Norway”. – This is important to safeguard the competitiveness of the Norwegian players. And not least, it is important to ensure the legitimacy of the support schemes. In addition to teasing Norwegian shipbuilders, the award has caused indignation in the Storting. – It is completely hopeless that Enova’s money disappears in this way, says parliamentary representative for Raudt, Sofie Marhaug. – This climate policy is a scandal. Hundreds of millions are being thrown at Dutch letterbox companies at the same time as the government is cutting support for solar plants and Enøk measures for most people, says Alfred Bjørlo from the Liberal Party. Storting representative for Høgre, Ove Trellevik, calls the money transaction an example of community funds going to the “wrong” recipients due to “smart” adaptations. – The government’s hydrogen policy is depriving Enova of resources without us getting anything left for it in this country, he says. – Parts of the funds will benefit Norwegian actors. Hub for Ocean Manager, Kristin Svardal, clarifies that parts of the cash flow will remain in Norway. – Norwegian companies play a central role in technology development and parts of the funds will benefit Norwegian players, even if the owner is Dutch. news has contacted the Dutch management team, but has so far not received a reply. In an e-mail to Teknisk Ukeblad, the management team wrote that they want to work with Norwegian partners in Ulsteinvik and that this “will benefit the local supplier industry”. This is Enova’s answer: Rune Holmen, head of maritime transport at Enova – The reason why Enova is in future demanding a minimum of 1/3 traffic in Norwegian waters or calls in Norwegian ports is that we want to ensure that the vessels contribute to Enova’s purpose with the remedy. This means establishing the first functioning value chain for hydrogen and ammonia. The support for the vessels will create demand, while the upcoming support for hydrogen production and distribution and in addition support for ammonia distribution will create a supply. The requirement that is now placed on vessel operations in Norway will mean that vessels that rarely or never sail to Norwegian ports fall outside the support scheme. The vessels that have been awarded are pioneers in technology development on hydrogen and ammonia. It is important to support such projects to promote development. Enova requires that the vessels are NOR/NIS registered to ensure that safety is handled by approved class companies. Note that applicants have one year after signing the letter of commitment to make an investment decision. This means that projects that are not started before this deadline will be awarded the draw before sufficient payment has taken place. The “Netherlands sponsorship” of NOK 299 million was part of the billion allocation that the government announced on 19 June. – Climate change in shipping is absolutely necessary for us to be able to achieve our climate goals, stated Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen. Here together with the managing director of Enova Nils Kristian Nakstad. Photo: Ministry of Climate and the Environment – We have done what was in our power It is not the first time that Norwegian “sponsor funds” have gone astray and ended up in the Netherlands. In 2020, the Storting adopted an oil package to help Norwegian industry through the corona crisis. One of the measures was that the Institute of Marine Research was to build a new ship at a cost of NOK 110 million. The measure was under the heading “Measures to increase activity and employment – get people back to work”. Nevertheless, the mission ended up in Dutch hands. Director of marine research Sissel Rogne said they did what they could to manage the contract to Norway, but that the regulations in the EEA excluded requirements for (Norwegian) nationality. – I will promise you that we investigated the room for action. We have done what was in our power, she told E24. Conversion pressure adjusted from “low” to “very low” The ten-year-old “ferry revolution” means that there are now battery-electric ferries on about half of all Norwegian car ferry connections. Reducing emissions on larger vessels and over longer distances has been more demanding. So far, the investments have been delayed, and deadlines have been postponed. – It is important that there is not a one-sided focus on ships in Norwegian waters. In the new and moderated call for proposals for Enova, it is required that those who are to receive support must have a third of their calls in Norwegian ports. Reactions to this are mixed: – It is important that the program contributes to local industrial construction. It is therefore good that Enova will in future require that at least 1/3 of calls must be in Norway, says Ingebjørg Telnes Wilhelmsen, who is secretary general of the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum. John Anders Lindtveit Røse in Maritimt forum believes that the adjustment may have unintended consequences: – It risks keeping the part of the Norwegian maritime industry that operates internationally outside the Norwegian enforcement apparatus. In that case, it would be unfortunate. – Enova should also contribute to developing technology on Norwegian ships that sail long distances internationally. It is important that there is no one-sided focus on ships in Norwegian waters. In 2023, the conversion pressure was adjusted down from “low” to “very low” in the “Barometer for green conversion of shipping”. The main explanation is that hydrogen-based fuel is two to four times as expensive as fossil fuel, and that the additional cost makes owners and owners reluctant to take the first step. news Elise Caspersen, professional responsible for maritime in ZERO There are many people who are ready to cut emissions from shipping, and Enova is wise to change the criteria so that the support goes to building up a value chain in Norway and cutting emissions in Norwegian waters. In addition to Maris Fiducia, Norwegian Höegh Autoliners received support for ammonia in four vessels that are not to sail in Norwegian waters. We cheer for actors who lead the way and show the way in the green shift. Hub For Ocean Kristin Svardal, head of Hub for ocean We understand that there may be reactions, but at the same time we want to support good projects that benefit the development of the industry and that contribute to the reduction of emissions in the maritime sector. This is an industry where cooperation across national borders is common, and we therefore see that business consortia often seek support from several countries. news John Anders Lindtveit Røse, Maritime forum It is important that the Norwegian enforcement apparatus ensures that the funds go to ensure a green transition in the Norwegian maritime industry. This is important to safeguard the competitiveness of the Norwegian players. Not least, it is important to ensure the legitimacy of the support schemes. Kilian Munch Toril Kobbeltvedt, director of policy and analysis at the Norwegian Shipping Association A robust value chain for green fuels is absolutely essential if we are to succeed in the transition that shipping is going through. At the same time, the Norwegian foreign fleet has large emissions outside Norway, and this number must decrease if we are to reach the climate targets. Therefore, the medical device must also meet these guidelines. The technology developed in these shipbuilding companies will be able to be transferred to ships in Norway. Hans Olav Landsverk Asle Strønen, head of Norske Skipsverft It is time that both the enforcement apparatus and certain political circles take over who they should represent. Discharge cuts in Norwegian waters should be prioritized, and only real Norwegian actors should be favored with support from the Norwegian community. Actually, this should be quite elementary. news Håkon Skjerstad, Azana fuel solutions We are uncertain whether the requirement for at least a third of calls in Norwegian ports will be sufficient to establish a market for ammonia among ships operating on the Norwegian continental shelf. In that case, it would be a great shame, because the authorities now have a unique opportunity to create a home market that can position Norwegian players as world leaders in the green maritime industry. Norwegian Hydrogen Forum Ingebjørg Telnes Wilhelmsen, Secretary General Norwegian Hydrogen Forum Enova has done a very good job with the development of the support program for hydrogen and ammonia in vessels, and we have great faith that these programs will trigger investments in a number of ships with hydrogen and ammonia as fuel. It is important that the program contributes to local industry building and the development of a healthy national value chain for hydrogen. NHO Vestland / news Helene Frihammer, regional director of NHO VestlandNoreg has good prerequisites for developing competitive value chains for both blue and green hydrogen. In order to succeed, we must stimulate the development of the various links in the value chains. At the same time, it is important that the funds are used according to the intention and that guidelines and results are constantly reviewed to ensure that one gets it right and avoids unfortunate consequences. Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB Alfred Bjørlo, Venstre The most scandalous thing in this case is that Vestland and other coastal counties do not get the clarifications they need from the government to order new fast boats that cut climate emissions with new technology developed in Norwegian value chains. Yann Valerievich Belov / n18575 Sofie Marhaug, RaudtThe political management of Enova must be strengthened, and in the direction of more energy efficiency. This is in contrast to wasting money on prestigious projects abroad that do not reduce emissions in Norway. This must become clear in the new mandate the government is now working with. Tom Nicolai Kolstad Arild Hermstad, head of MDG It is a great paradox and at the same time very disturbing that emissions from industry have barely fallen in the last ten years, while the state has paid out billions in climate compensation to industry. It joins a pattern where large companies are paid billions in support for climate measures, while ordinary people receive hardly any support, and find it expensive and difficult to live climate-friendly. Vidar Ruud / news Ove Trellevik, The Norwegian Government’s hydrogen investment is failing, we need a new hydrogen strategy. The government’s policy is draining Enova of resources without us getting anything back for it in this country. Unrealistic hydrogen projects get reserved power in the grid and block other projects that have the financing in place. Published 12.07.2024, at 15.47
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The state changes the rules after controversial support for Dutch ships – news Vestland
