Skip to navigation Skip to main content

Click here to access Norwegian translation


Introduction

 

Fortescue is currently assessing the potential development of a green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in Hemnes Municipality in Nordland County, Norway. Hemnes Municipality has been identified as favourable due to its proximity to a strong grid connection and port accessibility, as well as the region’s long history with industry and interest in economic development and diversification. 

Fortescue has been in dialogue with the Municipality, and local and regional stakeholders, including Rana Development's project Venture North. Through this process Fortescue has identified two potential locations for the development of a green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in Hemnes.  Before selecting a site, due diligence and preliminary investigations, including geotechnical, environmental and initial engineering designs, will be undertaken.

For more information on current activities, please see the Hemnes Information Sheet.

 

Project Overview

 

The proposed Hemnes Green Hydrogen Project (the Hemnes Project) will utilise renewable energy to power an integrated green hydrogen and green ammonia process plant, complete with transmission infrastructure and port facilities, for the transport of these products to the Norwegian and European markets.

 

Fortescue has entered into a conditional long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Statkraft, granting Fortescue access to hydropower assigned for industrial use from the NO4 power region.  National system operator Statnett has in cooperation with regional grid operator Linea reserved 300MW capacity for the Hemnes Project. Press Release from Statnett (in Norwegian) dated January 2024.

 


  • 0 Power Use
  • + 0 Tons per annum of Green Hydrogen Production
  • + 0 Tons per annum of Ammonia Production
  • + 0 MtCO2e Emission Reduction over 5-year operation period

 

It takes careful planning, time, resources, consultation and input from many people and organisations to help create a safe, responsible, and viable project. The project development process can be described as four phases:

 

Recognising the urgency to produce green energy and support global decarbonisation, Fortescue is targeting commencement of construction in 2026 with the start of Operations in 2028 with both being subject to internal and external approvals. These targeted timeframes may change depending on the time it takes to go through the regulatory approvals process as well as technical and commercial preparations and a final positive investment decision from the Fortescue Board.

Acknowledging the Project is still in its early phases, Fortescue will continue to evaluate the Project’s viability as it progresses. We intend to keep stakeholders, including local communities and businesses updated on the Project’s progress as information becomes available through studies, surveys, and community consultation.

Fortescue aims to build projects that have a long-term positive impact through contributing to the development of local, regional and national value chains for green industry that results in increased employment, business and training opportunities. We look forward to working with you to identify these opportunities as the Project progresses. 

 

Production Process

 

The Hemnes Project will produce green hydrogen and green ammonia. These products are created through two main processes:

  • Electrolysis: Electricity is passed through demineralized water causing water molecules to split into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Ammonia Synthesis: Nitrogen from the air is combined with the hydrogen to create ammonia.  

When these processes are undertaken using renewable energy, such as hydropower, the processes themselves do not generate carbon emissions and the products can generally be referred to as green hydrogen and green ammonia. The green ammonia will then be stored in a refrigerated state and transported to the Norwegian and European markets by ship.

The production and distribution of green energy can contribute to creating a low-emission society, and it is also a step in the right direction to reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.

More information on the green hydrogen and green ammonia production process, manufacturing and safety is available below.

 

Fortescue in Norway

 

Norway has great potential for green hydrogen and green ammonia production due to the availability of renewable energy, its skilled workforce, supportive political environment, and proximity to the European market. Working together with Norwegian and European partners, Fortescue hopes to contribute to the decarbonisation of hard to abate industries, such as shipping, given Norway’s strong maritime heritage. 

Fortescue Norway is pursuing the proposed development of two major green hydrogen and green ammonia production facilities with the aim of providing green energy to Norwegian and European markets and contributing to the achievement of ambitious climate goals.

In addition to exploring opportunities in Hemnes Municipality, Fortescue has taken an early investment decision on the Holmaneset Project in Bremanger Municipality, Vestland County. Holmaneset – Green Ammonia Production to fill the gap in Europe’s energy supply has been recognised by the European Union (EU) as a tremendous opportunity to contribute to Europe’s mission to transition to a clean energy economy and secured an Innovation Fund grant from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA).  Please visit the Holmaneset Project page for more information.

 

Project Documents

 

Download Project documents here. These will be updated as the Project progresses.

Hemnes Information Sheet – January 2024

 

Fact Sheets

 

Download these fact sheets for more information:

 

Contact

 

For further information, please contact us at Norway@Fortescue.com

 

 

 

 

We're leading the green industrial revolution

We’re developing the technologies to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors (like our iron ore operations) while building a global portfolio of renewable energy projects.

Green iron and green steel presents a huge opportunity for the iron ore industry and we are working hard to ensure we are at the forefront of technologies being developed in this regard.

By harnessing the world’s renewable energy resources to produce renewable electricity, green hydrogen, green ammonia and other green industrial products, we’ll help our planet step beyond fossil fuels.

  • Green hydrogen
  • Green steel
  • Critical minerals
  • Solar power
  • Green ammonia
  • Hydropower
  • Wind energy
  • Geothermal energy