Ingka Group, the principal retailer for IKEA, through its investment arm Ingka Investments, is making strides in renewable energy with an application for a permit to launch an ambitious offshore wind and hydrogen production initiative along the Swedish coast. In collaboration with energy company OX2, Ingka Investments plans to erect 207 wind turbines approximately 50km offshore, aiming to generate 3.1GW of clean energy.
This venture extends beyond wind power, encompassing an innovative offshore hydrogen production facility with the potential to produce up to 370,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually. A unique aspect of this project is the utilization of by-product oxygen from the electrolysis process, which will be used in a pilot project to reoxygenate the Baltic Sea, addressing environmental concerns in the region.
The offshore wind farm is projected to produce an impressive 13 to 15TWh of electricity each year. These initiatives are integral to the envisioned Neptunus energy hub, for which OX2 has already submitted an application. With permit approval, the groundbreaking construction is slated to commence in 2030.
Expanding the scope of their renewable energy endeavors, OX2 inked an agreement in December 2022 with Gasgrid Finland, Nordion Energi, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to investigate the development of a new offshore hydrogen pipeline in the Baltic Sea. This exploration signifies a broader commitment to integrating hydrogen solutions across various sectors.
IKEA and Ingka Group are actively incorporating hydrogen technologies into their operations. Notably, H2 Green Steel has been contracted to provide hydrogen-based steel for half of IKEA’s global warehouse racking systems.
On the logistics front, IKEA Austria has recently advanced its sustainable transport initiatives by acquiring five hydrogen fuel cell trucks from Quantron and conducting trials with a heavy-duty truck equipped with a hydrogen-retrofitted internal combustion engine (ICE) by Westport Fuel Systems.
This comprehensive approach to renewable energy and sustainable solutions by Ingka Group and its partners underscores a significant shift towards cleaner, more efficient energy sources in Sweden and beyond, marking a pivotal step in the global transition to a hydrogen economy.
