High above the small wooden houses at the far end of Holmen in central Stavanger, we find the offices of the start-up company Amogy. An offshore ship is moored directly outside the window. Apt. Because Amogy sells a kind of engine that can be used in such ships. The engine runs on ammonia. The technology is emission-free, the exhaust only consists of water and nitrogen. – Ammonia is much easier to use than other fuels, and there is a lot of energy in ammonia, says Jeremy Mazzilli, who is one of the few who work for the company in Stavanger. Jeremy Mazzilli in Amogy. Photo: Rolv Christian Topdahl / news Amogy has just tested and demonstrated the technology in New York and has so far raised over NOK 2 billion from investors. – The technology is ready! But now Mazzilli and Amogy want the government on the pitch. The Storting has decided that offshore ships that go into service for the oil industry must be emission-free by 2029. It is not yet clear whether this will only apply to new ships. Offshore ship to berth in Bergen. In a few years, such ships will be emission-free. Photo: Dag Harald Kvammen Andersen / news The emissions from these ships today make up around 37 per cent of the CO2 emissions from shipping and fishing in Norway. These should be cut if the oil and gas industry is to be able to achieve its climate targets and Norway’s. We have previously mentioned the report in which the oil industry is asking for more power from countries to reach the climate targets. – Enormous amount of work The only problem is that the government has not yet come up with any requirements or measures to achieve the zero target in offshore traffic, which they should have done last year. Today, none of the approximately 500 offshore ships in Norway are emission-free. – You don’t build a boat like that overnight. An enormous amount of work is required. We estimate two to three years to build a modern boat that runs on ammonia. That is why the demands must come now, he says. SV’s fiscal policy spokesperson, Kari Elisabeth Kaski, believes the government is far too slow, and reminds that the government is dependent on SV to pass the national budget. The government has previously received criticism from the National Audit Office for its work in implementing the climate targets. – We expect the government to present this in the national budget on 7 October, she says. Kari Elisabeth Kaski (SV) Photo: William Jobling / news But then comes the literally billion-dollar question: Who will pay for this conversion? According to Jeremy Mazzilli in Amogy, the industry is dependent on financial support. An offshore ship that runs on ammonia costs 20-30 per cent more than a ship that runs on diesel, he points out. Mazzilli is supported by the organization Maritime CleanTech, which represents so-called green companies in shipping. – We propose various mechanisms such as CO2 funds and contracts for difference. This is to cover the transition in years when it is more expensive with renewables versus fossil fuels, says marketing manager Håvard Tvedte. Håvard Tvedte, marketing manager at Maritime CleanTech. Photo: Maritime Clean Tech Here you can read more about the engine that runs on ammonia, and which can be used in offshore ships. Will send the bill to the oil companies Kaski, for his part, believes the oil companies must pick up the bill. – From SV’s point of view, it is quite obvious that the state does not need to contribute here. The oil companies have insane profitability and ever-increasing profits. They must help cut emissions and take responsibility for their own production. Here is an example of how to do it, she says. The oil companies’ industry organisation, Offshore Norway, is no longer enthusiastic about the proposal: They are sending the bill back to the state. – We are concerned that there must be a fair distribution of costs between the operating companies, the shipping companies and the authorities, says Benedicte Solaas, who is director of climate and environment at Offshore Norway. Benedicte Solaas, director of climate and environment at Offshore Norway. Photo: Offshore Norway By far the largest oil company on the Norwegian continental shelf, Equinor, has plans to have a ship converted to run on ammonia, which is to be commissioned in 2026. – But are we going to achieve this on enough ships, like that it is possible, then the authorities and industry must work as a team to bring costs down, she says. Thinks the market will explode Håvard Tvedte in Maritime CleanTech believes the market for green ship technology will soon explode out there and that it is therefore important to get a market started here at home first. In that way, Norway can lead the way. – Then we must be ready to export. Various zero-emission fuels have been tested and work on board. Now requirements are needed to get the market going, he says. The Ministry of Climate and the Environment agrees with that, but for the time being will not say anything about what role the state will play. – The Ministry of Climate and the Environment is currently investigating how the zero emission requirements for the offshore fleet should be designed. Questions about phasing in and who the requirements are aimed at are part of the investigation, says State Secretary Sigrun Aasland (Ap) to news. An Australian billionaire, local resistance and loads of electricity. Did you catch the article about the planned ammonia factory in Bremanger in Vestland? Published 02.10.2024, at 21.43
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The Storting has adopted zero emissions – the oil industry asks the state to foot the bill – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
