Despite a population of merely 5 million, Norway is among the top 30 world economies, and an energy powerhous, in both hydrocarbons/petroleum and renewables. Renewable energy and climate are top priorities for the Norwegian government, which has also recently launched a national Hydrogen Strategy. The strategy is designed to set-out a roadmap for research, development and roll-out of future hydrogen applications and infrastructure. This will contribute to the process of developing new low emission technologies and solutions.
Norway sees hydrogen as an energy carrier with significant potential to help achieve our ambitious climate goals. Norway has committed to cut CO2 emissions by at least 50% by 2030, compared to 1990. For 2050, the government’s target is to cut 90-95%, for Norway to become a ‘low emissions society’.
The webinar was led by pre-recorded remarks by State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms. Janicke Andreassen, who encouraged both Norway and India to collaborate on hydrogen. She said, “Today’s event is a significant milestone for closer research and innovation collaboration between Norway and India on hydrogen. Science, innovation and technology has always been a top agenda of the Norwegian Government”. She also said that Norway has identified, and will prioritize several areas of co-operation with India, including Energy, Climate, and environment, including research and innovation.
Both the Indian and Norwegian governments have strong ambitions in developing hydrogen technologies in the years ahead. Hence, India and Norway can collaboratively grasp the opportunities presented by the green transition.
Mr. Hans Jacob Frydenlund, Ambassador of Norway to India in his inaugural speech said; “I believe that this collaboration is both timely and relevant and I am seeing a fantastic window of opportunity for, both Norway and India, to enhance our capacity for safe and cost-effective clean hydrogen production. We see international partnerships as crucial for scaling up, reducing production costs, and creating a commercially viable market for hydrogen”.
The event, moderated by the Embassy’s Counsellor for Science, Innovation and Higher Education, Dr Maan Singh Sidhu, comprised researchers from Norway and India, and saw high-profile participation from the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India; and by leaders from the Norwegian industry.