Scandinavian collaborations in focus:
Green initiatives bring Norwegian ambassador to the Port of Hirtshals
On 29 January, the Ambassador of Norway to Denmark, Katja Nordgaard, visited the Port of Hirtshals to explore new opportunities for green collaborations in the Skagerrak region. Particularly the transition to green energy and the unique symbiosis approach among businesses in and around Hirtshals became the topics of the day and underlined that collaborations between the nations are an important accelerator for green transformation in the Nordic countries.
The ambitious green projects at and around the Port of Hirtshals are attracting attention both domestically and internationally. Most recently, this led to a visit from Ambassador Katja Nordgaard from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Copenhagen, who requested the trip to Northern Jutland on her own initiative.
The visit here in Hirtshals is important for the embassy because we want to strengthen the collaboration between Norway and Denmark on green transition, where the Skagerrak region plays a crucial role. Norway and Denmark share the same values and have complementary strengths and common goals. This creates an excellent foundation for collaboration. It is important that we succeed, not only for the Skagerrak region and our two countries but also for the Nordic countries and Europe as a whole. Right here at the Port of Hirtshals, we can show the way forward together, says Katja Nordgaard.
Green opportunities across the Skagerrak
Greenport North and Port of Hirtshals, the hosts of the visit, presented a comprehensive programme that led the Norwegian Ambassador through a verbal tour of the ambitious CO₂ project Greenport Scandinavia, the development of a new data-driven energy system and plans to establish an integrated hydrogen ecosystem at the Port of Hirtshals. The common denominator of the projects was the focus on circularity as a driver for green transition.
The visit also included a panel discussion with the headline “How do we strengthen cooperation across the Skagerrak?” where the elements of green transition, circularity and opportunities for collaboration were explored in a Norwegian-Danish context. The panel included Katja Nordgaard from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Jens Berge from Norwegian Hydrogen, Steen Hintze from Greenport North, and Morten Drivsholm from Business Hub Northern Denmark. Particularly one theme caught Morten Drivsholm’s attention:
It became clear that we need a shared vision for the Skagerrak region, which is crucial for ensuring affordable local energy and maximising the use of our inherent resources. This vision should form the foundation for attracting investments to the region by providing clarity about the necessary infrastructures and ensuring local support. It is vital that we, as a region, unite and initiate a joint mapping process to determine where and which investments in electricity, hydrogen, and CO₂ infrastructure are required. This shared foundation can turn Skagerrak into an epicentre for the green transition while also ensuring long-term growth and job creation throughout the region.
Port of Hirtshals open to new opportunities
We are always incredibly proud when the initiatives at the Port of Hirtshals are noticed, and it has been a great pleasure to delve into the important topics of energy systems and circularity with our good partners and neighbours from Norway. Only the Skagerrak separates us, which makes Hirtshals a natural highway for Norwegians to Northern Europe. Our hope is that the visit from the Royal Norwegian Embassy strengthens all the ongoing projects and lays the foundation for new green collaborations and innovative projects, says Per Holm Nørgaard, CEO at Port of Hirtshals.
The Norwegian ambassador also toured the biorefinery Biomega and the Power-to-X plant GrønGas and Grøn Brint near Hjørring.
Facts about green initiatives at Port of Hirtshals
The list includes the green initiatives from Port of Hirtshals that were presented during Katja Nordgaard’s visit:
Greenport North
A development company working on green development in energy, transport, and industry, with the goal of making the Port of Hirtshals an internationally renowned role model for sustainable port development.
Greenport Scandinavia
A groundbreaking climate project aiming to establish one of Europe’s largest import and export hubs for CO₂ at the Port of Hirtshals.
CONVEY
An EU project aimed at establishing a hydrogen ecosystem at and near the Port of Hirtshals, integrating local renewable energy sources for the production and distribution of hydrogen.
S.E.S
An initiative focused on developing a smart energy system to increase energy-efficiency for organisations at the Port of Hirtshals through data-driven solutions and collaboration.