Projects receiving public support through the Green Platform include zero-emission ships for Hardigruten, animal feed from kelp and underwater hydrogen storage.
11 research and innovation projects receive a total of NOK 623 million from the Public Support Program. This year’s allocation from the Grønn platform will be clear after the round is ready.
The total budget of the projects is one billion kroner.
The aim of the program is for companies to invest in climate-friendly, sustainable solutions. Projects receiving funding in this round will begin early next year.
– We are carrying out a major restructuring of the Norwegian economy. Everything turns green. Private companies must lead the change, with the public sector as a supporter, says Industry Minister John Christian Westray (Apr).
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Hydrogen, animal feed and concrete
There is a wide range of projects that are now receiving support.
Hardiger will work on developing zero-emission ships, while others will develop at-sea charging solutions for battery-powered ships. The list includes connected hydrogen projects for both transportation and storage.
Plastics from the agricultural industry must be reused, and eco-friendly solutions must be developed to extract minerals from the seabed. New products, including animal feed, can be made from kelp.
The speed of digitization of the power grid needs to increase. During construction, work will be done to make concrete structures last longer and reduce emissions from road construction.
– I am pleased to see that there is a great breadth and diversity in the projects being funded. What’s even better, Westray says, is that many of the projects are responding to key challenges we need to address this decade.
– What do you expect these projects to contribute to the green transition?
– Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating new jobs and increasing exports of green industries.
– Significant own investment
The Green Platform will support companies and research institutes to develop climate and environment friendly solutions. The Ministry of Trade and Fisheries is behind the project, which is managed by the Research Council, Innovation Norway and the agency for industrial development, Siva.
The support program will help accelerate the green transition in the business world, with lower emissions and better use of resources.
The Industries Minister is concerned that companies participating in these schemes will also provide “substantial own investment”. Public support accounts for half of the budget for many projects.
– We must contribute with sufficient risk mitigation, but not more than necessary, says Westre.
Also, the Minister for Commerce highlighted export potential and comprehensive cooperation as positive aspects of the plans.
– Heavy industrial environments, more start-up oriented companies, research environments and universities have it all. To succeed with green change, smart minds need to think together.
Not all distributed
A total of 750 million has been announced through the Green Platform program by 2022. However, only 623 million have been distributed in this round.
The explanation is that NOK 77 million was awarded earlier this year for a project applied for in 2021. According to the ministry, the remaining 48 million is “too little” to fund an entire project.
These could be used if one of the projects is withdrawn or scaled back, or transfer funds to the 2023 call for proposals.
Four unsupported programs are on a ranked waiting list. A total of 50 applications were considered in this round, and 29 high-quality candidates were interviewed.
Applied projects must start between January 1 and March 1, 2023 to receive support, and complete the project by the end of 2025. The general funding requirement for the project should be between NOK 30-80 million.
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