Fortescue is an integrated green technology, energy, and iron ore company that, as part of its portfolio, is establishing the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia. Fortescue has taken a leading role in facilitating global decarbonization across several significant sectors and industries. Based on the availability of renewable energy, proximity to the European market, and access to qualified workforce, Norway has been identified as a country with significant potential to lead in such production.
Fortescue is currently exploring opportunities for a project in Hemnes municipality. The proposed Hemnes Green Hydrogen project (Hemnes project) will utilize hydropower to operate an integrated processing plant for green hydrogen and green ammonia. The facility will be developed with relevant infrastructure and a port for transportation to the Norwegian and European markets. Green hydrogen and green ammonia produced at the facility can contribute to the decarbonization of sectors such as transportation, shipping, aviation, and industry. This will support the development of green value chains with local and regional ripple effects. Fortescue has entered into a conditional long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Statkraft, providing access to hydropower for industrial use from the NO4 power region.
The establishment in Hemnes is the result of Fortescue evaluating several locations over time to establish operations in Norway. In Bremanger municipality on the West Coast, Fortescue plans to establish a similar production facility at Holmaneset. The facility, scheduled to start production in 2027, has received financial support from the EU to contribute to the transition from fossil to green energy sources in Norway and Europe. In the process of exploring opportunities in Norway, Hemnes was identified early on as a location after conducting a thorough preliminary study, considering various factors, including existing grid and power capacity, proximity to infrastructure, available space, water sources, topography, local environment, regional industrial history, and nearby communities. Fortescue has been in dialogue with the municipality, local and regional stakeholders, including supporters such as Venture North. In further research done by Fortescue two possible locations for establishing a production facility have been identified. Further studies and preliminary investigations, including geotechnical and environmental assessments, are planned before the final location is decided.
In addition to the 35 to 70 direct production-related jobs, the project could provide indirect employment opportunities for support functions at the facility and local supplier agreements. Furthermore, Fortescue and Venture North are in discussions about a collaborative project to assess the potential for circular value creation in the community by utilizing by-products from production in the form of oxygen and heat. The Hemnes project will serve as an international reference project with regional, circular cluster effects for regional value creation.