On June 15, 2016 the Norsk Parliament approved  recommendations of the Energy and Environment Committee to begin construction of a national network of hydrogen stations,starting next year and has set a goal of 50,000 hydrogen cars by 2025. This will translate intoat least a hundred stations nationwide. Parliament asks the government of a new agreement and a mandate for Enova, Norway’s energy  agency ensure support for the establishment of a network of hydrogen fueling stations in the largest cities and corridors between, and ensure that the first stations established in 2017. Through the approval of the proposed National Transport Plan (NTP)  for 2018-2029 targets will be set for the number of low- and zero-emission vehicles, including cars, vans, buses and heavy vehicles in 2025 following the adopted climate goals and the technological potential of NTP specialist agencies.

Government parties Right, the Progress Party and cooperation parties Left and Christian Democrats have agreed to begin construction of a national network of hydrogen stations from next year,  according to Ola Elvestuen (photo) (V), Oyvind korsberg (FRP), Hans Fredrik Grøvan (Christian Democrats) and Nikolai Astrup (H) Dagsavisen ahead of the discsssions of the Energy Report.

Futhermore Parliament asked the Government to consider the use of development contracts for hydrogen ferries (estimated by the Public Roads Administration to begin service around 2020), as well as, through the NTP 2018-2029, consider the possibility of adopting hydrogen on  railway lines that are not currently electrified.

The Norwegian Hydrogen Forum in a statement thanked all members, public and private backers “for their contribution and  extensive input to the authorities to ensure an effective action plan for the transport sector through the Energy Report”, says Kristian E. Vik, secretary general of the Norwegian Hydrogen Forum. Read more in the news item in the newspaper Dagbladet:
Will build hydrogen stations for 800 million.

The Norwegian parliament voted also to anticipate climate neutrality to 2030 instead of 2050. Since Norway’s emissions are set to grow for another few years due to the oil and gas sector, climate neutrality could be achieved mainly through international measures that could be counted towards the net goal. However Norway’s Climate Minister Vidar Helgesen expressed his concern that the measures lawmakers are pointing to “might not be available.” All parties except his Conservatives and the governing Progress Party, voted in favor of the proposal. “The government will follow up the parliament’s decision on climate neutrality, but we need to work out some details on how it may be realistically implemented,” Helgesen told us in a statement.

The Norwegian activities were well represented in their stand at tthe WHEC 2016 including NEL, IFE, ZEG Power and the Norsk Hydrogen Forum

(Photo: Oslo hydrogen station)