The MOU provides a framework to jointly undertake a Concept Design Study to review identified sites and select a preferred location suitable for domestic and export volumes of hydrogen and undertake a technical and economic review for the production and supply of compressed gaseous green hydrogen to nominated European ports.

The collaboration will accelerate the development of hydrogen export supply chains, utilising Provaris’ GH2 carriers and storage solutions with Norwegian Hydrogen’s proposed production and export sites.

Norway represents around 50% of the hydrogen reservoir capacity of the EU and may be key in reaching the REPowerEU ambition of 10mtpa hydrogen import by 2030.

Read more: €200m for hydrogen research in REPowerEU plan

Martin Carolan, Provaris Managing Director and CEO, said, “The Nordic region offers several advantages that can include low-cost hydro power, proximity to off-take markets and supportive governments committed to supply hydrogen to Europe.

“This collaboration also has strategic alignment with the development timeline of our H2Neo carrier and validation of the increasing interest of our compressed H2 transport solution for hydrogen supply into Europe.”

A joint design concept study will be completed in March 2023 to identify a production and export site, and determine the technical and economic viability of a fast-track green hydrogen supply chain connected to the key ports of Germany and Holland.

At these short distances, Provaris’ say its compressed hydrogen GH2 carrier, H2Neo, has proved to be cost competitive when compared to alternative transportation, storage and conversion vectors of hydrogen.

The Australian-based company was approved by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) last year for its H2Neo carrier, set to be construction-ready this year.

Read more: Provaris awarded with Design Approval for compressed hydrogen carriers

The signing of the MoU allows Norwegian Hydrogen to accelerate its  ambitions for scaling-up volumes of compressed hydrogen from multiple sites across the Nordic region, whilst Provaris can contribute its experience in the development of compressed green hydrogen export projects, including the 2.8GW Tiwi H2 development project in Australia.

Read more: Green hydrogen project on Tiwi Islands awarded Major Project Status

Per Roed, Provaris Chief Technical Officer, said, “Provaris Norway was established strategically as our European hub to establish partnerships that can leverage the availability of low-cost, stable green energy in close proximity to major European import hubs.”