Norwegian Hydrogen AS has been awarded a €31.5 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund to advance its groundbreaking RjukanLH₂ project, which will establish Norway’s first complete green liquid hydrogen (LH₂) value chain dedicated to maritime applications.
The RjukanLH₂ project will see the construction of a state-of-the-art facility in Rjukan, designed for the production, liquefaction, storage, and distribution of green hydrogen. The project also includes the development of an integrated bunkering solution to deliver zero-emission liquid hydrogen directly to ships. Once operational in 2028, the facility will produce over 3,500 tonnes of liquid hydrogen annually, cutting emissions by up to 99.8% compared to traditional fossil fuels.
The initiative represents a landmark step in Norway’s clean energy transition, laying the groundwork for a scalable hydrogen infrastructure capable of expanding alongside the growing decarbonisation needs of the maritime industry. By enabling local hydrogen production and distribution, RjukanLH₂ will play a key role in reducing shipping emissions and reinforcing Norway’s position as a leader in the global green hydrogen economy.
“At Rjukan, we are building Norway’s – and indeed the Nordic region’s – first production plant for zero-emission liquid hydrogen, with a particular focus on the maritime sector,” said Jens Berge, CEO of Norwegian Hydrogen. “The support from the EU Innovation Fund is crucial to bringing this vision to life. We are both proud and grateful for this strong recognition from Europe’s leading climate innovation program.”
The RjukanLH₂ facility forms part of Norwegian Hydrogen’s broader strategy to establish a Nordic hydrogen network, accelerating the decarbonisation of transport, industry, and maritime logistics. The EU’s backing comes in addition to previous funding secured earlier this year, including €13.2 million in operational support from the EU Hydrogen Bank auction, and a combined NOK 100 million package from Innovation Norway, comprising a NOK 50 million grant and a green growth loan.
The project aligns with the European Commission’s investment initiative announced this week, allocating €2.9 billion from the Innovation Fund to accelerate deployment of net-zero technologies across Europe.
Once completed, RjukanLH₂ will become a cornerstone for green shipping in the Nordics, offering a practical, scalable model for liquid hydrogen infrastructure that supports the transition to zero-emission maritime transport both regionally and internationally.
