Gen2 Energy AS and Provaris Energy Ltd signed this week a collaboration agreement. The joint initiative aims to conduct a comprehensive prefeasibility study to determine the technical and economic viability of producing and supplying compressed green H₂ from the H₂ project in Åfjord to European ports using Provaris’ marine storage and shipping solution.

Both parties have a shared belief that Åfjord with its access to low-cost renewable energy and industrial infrastructure is an ideal site for large-scale production of green H₂ and seaborn supply of H₂ to key European ports. Both companies are committed to green H₂ production and export projects, with Gen2 Energy focusing on domestic supply and export to European markets, and Provaris offering innovative integrated bulk-scale storage and marine transportation solutions for green H₂.

Martin Carolan, CEO of Provaris Energy said, “We are delighted to be working with Gen2 Energy to demonstrate the suitability of Provaris’ unique solution to the production and transport of bulk-scale H₂ from the Afjord project. This collaboration will benefit from the synergies of Provaris and Gen2 Eenrgy’s approach to using compression as an energy efficient carrier for green H₂. It can also demonstrate Norway’s role in delivering bulk-volumes to ports in Europe that are requesting a simple and flexible solution to import pipeline ready, gaseous green H₂ to meet the REPowerEU ambitions for 10 MMt by 2030.”

Jonas Meyer, CEO in Gen2 Energy said, “For Gen2 Energy it is of key importance to build a strong and viable business case for large scale production and distribution of green H₂ from Norway to Europe and other parts of Norway. We are following closely the development of different transport solutions for H₂, both on sea and rail. The transport of bulk H₂ is interesting for us to investigate. We embrace innovation and flexibility in transportation. Undertaking a prefeasibility study with Provaris on seaborn transport of compressed H₂ on their GH₂ carriers will give us a good opportunity to learn more about bulk transport of H₂. We want to be in front when it comes to effective and safe supply of large volumes of green H₂ from Norway to Europe.”

The prefeasibility study to be undertaken will include the H₂ production and compression, the export and import terminals for loading and unloading the GH₂ carriers, GH₂ carrier fleet optimization, including storage, and prospective offtake parties and economic models and schedules for the H₂ project in Åfjord.

Both parties share the position that safe and efficient storage and transportation of H₂ at sea will be critical to the development and viability of the global H₂ value chain. Provaris has advanced a portfolio of H₂ shipping and storage solutions and has been granted Approval in Principle from ABS for two sizes of GH₂ carriers (H2Neo 26,000 m³ and H2Max 120,000 m³ in 2021) and a floating storage (H2Leo) with a design capacity range of 300 t–600 t H₂. The H2Neo, which is intended to be utilized in the Åfjord project, was granted design approval based on an extensive front-end engineering and design package in December 2022, with final construction approval targeted for early 2024.

The vision is that Gen2 Energy’s H₂ project in Åfjord will contribute to a more sustainable energy landscape, forest innovation and driving the adoption of green H₂. The agreement is non-exclusive and both parties can discuss and enter collaboration with other parties linked to Gen2 Energy’s H₂ project in Åfjord and Provaris’ H₂ carriers.