The Port of Gothenburg is Scandinavia’s largest port and has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. With a clear focus on decarbonization and an ambitious goal to fulfil UN SDG:s number 7 and 13 by replacing fossil fuels with new alternatives, the port has identified hydrogen as a promising alternative for the future.
The Port of Gothenburg and Norwegian energy company Statkraft are planning to construct a hydrogen production facility at the port, with operations due to commence in 2023. When hydrogen is produced using fossil-free power sources, such as hydropower or wind power, the hydrogen would also be fossil free. The Port Authority and Statkraft have entered into an agreement to investigate the potential for an interim storage facility and filling station. The planned facility will have an initial capacity of four MW, producing up to two tonnes of hydrogen per day. This is equivalent to 2,200 litres of diesel and could help reduce carbon emissions by at least 4 tonnes every day. The capacity can be expanded if demand increases, and new areas of use emerge.
A set of measures to speed up the transition to fossil-free transport will be put into action at the Port of Gothenburg. The initial step is the first open-access facility in the Nordic region for electric charging and hydrogen gas for heavy goods vehicles and will become operational in 2022. The fuel company Circle K will run the station, which will offer charging points, hydrogen gas pumps, and bio-based liquefied fuels. The system will then be expanded with the addition of more locations and increased capacity to keep pace with demand.
To further speed up the transition, the Port of Gothenburg also intends to share its experience both within the WPSP but also through its new membership in the CEM Global Ports Hydrogen Coalition.