Aker ASA today launches plans for a major investment in green energy in Narvik.
The company writes in a stock exchange announcement.
Aker’s green subsidiary Aker Horizon acquires large areas in Narvik municipality for the purpose.
Among other things, the controversial industrial site Ballangsleira, which Narvik municipality first gave away for the construction of a data center. But as the municipality later, through a municipal company, had to pay several million kroner to buy back.
The plot is now being sold on to the Røkke Group with a nice profit.
– Rthe region offers several advantages such as Aker Horizons’ hub for activities in northern Norway with access to some of Europe’s cheapest renewable energy and excellent transport connections for export, writes Kristian Røkke, CEO of Aker Horizons in a stock exchange announcement
Tough negotiations
On Monday, the case was heard in an extraordinary municipal council in Narvik. NRK knows that the decision did not come until late Tuesday night.
After many hours of negotiations and debates among the municipal council members, the sale of properties on Ballangsleira and Framneslia for 200 million was approved against five votes.
In addition, they invest 90 million in Narvik Batteri AS. It is a company that aims to develop a large plot of land on Hergot just outside Narvik for battery production.
From black to green
Aker Horizon has raised billions in capital to invest in green energy and technology. The parent company Aker BP has contributed NOK 1.7 billion to get the company back on its feet.
The company has launched major green ambitions towards 2025. Among other things, to contribute at least NOK 100 billion in renewable energy and green technology.
Furthermore, they will cut emissions by 25 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, which corresponds to half of Norway’s annual emissions.
And they will reach a production of 10 gigawatts of renewable energy. According to the company, it is 25 percent of Norway’s total electricity consumption.
Technology investments in the north
Aker’s investment in Narvik is part of a number of establishments in Nordland in recent years.
Cool climate, ideal humidity, surplus power and low electricity prices contribute to Nordland county being an attractive place for energy-intensive industry.
This winter, Teco launched 2030 plans for the production of hydrogen fuel cells in Narvik. The hydrogen company was informed yesterday that they will receive NOK 50 million from Innovation Norway. The company has ambitions for 500 jobs in Narvik.
Large plans have also been launched in Mosjøen. In the autumn, Gen2 Energy entered into agreements on commercial areas in Mosjøen. Here they will build production facilities for green hydrogen, and they will have access to quay facilities for the export of hydrogen.
Freyr is another company with giant plans for Nordland. The company has plans to build five battery factories in Mo i Rana in the next few years. There is talk of 1,500 new jobs and in the long run 10,000 newcomers to the old ironworks town.
Freyr was listed on the New York Stock Exchange this summer. The listing gives Freyr access to money to pay for the establishment in Nordland.
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