Oslo-listed marine technology company Teco 2030 is planning Norway's first hydrogen fuel cell factory to boost production up to the gigawatt level.
The large-scale facility aims to manufacture cells optimised to be "the heart" of hydrogen-powered ships.
Cells totalling 1.2 gigawatts will be produced annually, meaning several hundred millions of euros in turnover, according to Teco 2030 chief executive Tore Enger.
"This will be the first volume production of fuel cells in Norway and a hub for the Norwegian hydrogen industry," Enger added.
Fuel cells convert hydrogen into electricity, with water vapour as the only emission.
"We are optimising fuel cells from the bottom up for heavy-duty marine use," Enger explained.
Teco 2030 is working with Austrian engineering company AVL on the technology.
The plan is to start fuel cell production in 2022.
"We're thrilled about the extensive support for our plans from key actors within the shipping and energy industries, as well as from universities," Enger said.
Clear signals from government
"We're also excited about the Norwegian government’s clear message that industrialisation of maritime fuel cells is an area of particular importance for Norway."
A location has yet to be chosen, but the facility will probably be in the eastern Norwegian counties of Viken, Vestfold or Telemark.
An important factor will be proximity to "competence clusters" within technology and shipping, Teco 2030 said.
The factory could create 500 jobs in research and development, pilot production and full-scale industrial output.
The expected investment is nearly €100m ($121m) over about 10 years.
Financing alternatives are being evaluated. Teco 2030 has applied for support under a Norwegian government hydrogen programme.
