Northern Norway takes European position in green aviation
Bodø Lufthavnutvikling, Energi i Nord and Lofoten de Grønne Øyene have joined forces to establish Northern Norway as a test arena for new technology in green aviation.
- By Laura Johanne Olsen
On October 24-26, BLU, Energi i Nord and Lofoten de Grønne Øyene were in Brussels with a delegation to establish international contacts, present the project "a zero-emission regional aviation initiative from Northern Norway" and link the initiative to the EU's Green Deal.
The project initiative has now received start-up funding from the government's most important instruments in Norwegian High North policy.
"There is great interest in our initiative in the EU, and several partnerships want to get involved. Aircraft manufacturers, industry and stakeholders want to work closely together. And with the many meetings we have had in Brussels, we now have a lot of information and contacts for our further work to establish Northern Norway as a test arena for new technology in Green Aviation. The link to the EU's Green Deal will strengthen the work on such an establishment, and it can contribute to the realization of 100s of new industrial and technology jobs throughout Northern Norway, says Director of BLU, Elnar Holmen.
The project is considered very important for Northern Norway:
On October 18, Troms and Finnmark County Council granted funding in the Arctic 2030 program. The aviation initiative is now being strengthened as a separate project in Northern Norway.
"The pilot project "Climate neutral regional aviation in the High North" meets the call for proposals well and is considered important for Northern Norway and the High North and will be able to contribute positively to the green shift. It meets the UN's sustainability goals, and is well anchored in both national and county plans", says County Councillor for Planning, Industry & Environment in Troms and Finnmark County Council, Karin Eriksen.
"Efficient aviation is a critical necessity for society and absolutely essential for those of us who live in Lofoten. We travel by air like others travel by bus. And we will continue to do so, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Through this pilot project, we are now developing Lofoten as a test arena for green innovation in aviation," beams Elisabeth Mikalsen, chair of the Lofoten Council and mayor of Røst.
Our advantages:
In Northern Norway, we have 26 small and medium-sized airports with short distances between airports. The development of zero-emission aviation must take place at regional airports where there is relatively little traffic and available airspace. According to the EU, this development will not take place on heavily trafficked networks. This, in addition to an Arctic climate with a lot of weather and wind, makes Northern Norway a very attractive and suitable region for testing new aviation technologies.
"Lofoten the Green Islands' ambition is to be the world's most climate-friendly tourist destination by 2030. It will then be possible to travel to Lofoten with low- and zero-emission flights from Bodø and other airports in Northern Norway, and we will be the first to offer commercial climate-neutral air routes. We are confident that this project will help us to achieve these goals," says Laura Johanne Olsen, head of the Lofoten Green Islands program.
Photo: Anna Scott (Northern Norway European Office)
From left: Randi Lervik (Lofotkraft Opportunities), Anders Tørud (Energi i Nord), Janni Ekrem (Nord-Norges Europakontor), Petter Bertheussen (Bodø Municipality), Nils Kristian Sørheim Nilsen (Nord-Norges Europakontor) Elnar Holmen (Bodø Airport Development), Laura Johanne Olsen (Lofoten De Grønne Øyene)
We facilitate international players:
Full-scale production of renewable fuels such as hydrogen, batteries & sustainable aviation fuel - SAF and measures for all-electric aircraft. Close cooperation with Norwegian and international airport networks, including aircraft manufacturers, airports and airlines. Surplus of affordable renewable power and major industrial plans for production of green hydrogen, ammonia and electrofuel/SAF Two new "green field" airports in Bodø and Mo together with other hubs covering the regional airports in the north. A test arena for climate-neutral and zero-emission aviation.
"Climate-neutral aviation represents a major industrial opportunity for the northern Norwegian power industry and the northern Norwegian process industry and supplier industry. The demand for climate-neutral fuel types for aviation will be significant in the coming years, as will the demand for ground-based systems at airports that support the transition to climate-neutral aviation. Northern Norwegian industry has all the prerequisites to play a significant role in this," says Anders Tørud, Project Manager at Energi i Nord.
"It is very gratifying that Northern Norway is aiming to lead the development of climate-neutral regional aviation in Norway. Likewise, the initiators behind the project are working for an international anchoring with important aviation environments in Europe. This is crucial for success, and we will contribute to this project, which will not only ensure emission-free aviation in the region, but also lay the foundation for international cooperation with great opportunities for North Norwegian businesses," says Nils Kristian Sørheim Nilsen, Director of the North Norway European Office in Brussels.
About the project:
A Zero Regional Aviation Initiative of Northern Norway
A collaborative project with BLU, Energi i Nord and Lofoten de Grønne Øyene to:
Contribute to the development of sustainable communities in Northern Norway. Facilitate the development of regional zero-emission infrastructure with Lofoten as a pilot. Define which technologies and infrastructure need to be developed to achieve climate-neutral aviation. Analyze the potential for industrial production of climate-neutral aviation fuel in Northern Norway. Develop international industrial and R&D collaborations.
About Bodø Airport Development, Energi i Nord and Lofoten de Grønne Øyene
Bodø Lufthavnutvikling - BLU is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bodøgionens Utviklingsselskap - BRUS and its 44 owners. One of the company's goals is to be a driving force in the development of green aviation in Northern Norway, Norway and internationally. The company will actively participate and contribute to linking Bodø more closely with international actors, environments, as well as knowledge and investment actors within aviation.
Energi i Nord is a cluster with members from the entire energy sector and from all of Northern Norway. We have vast resources in Northern Norway and extensive expertise in the production, transmission, storage and industrial processing of carbon-neutral energy. To unlock the opportunities that this region has in this field, we must work together across regions and industries. Energi i Nord has been established to contribute to this joint effort.
Lofoten The Green Islands is a private-public partnership between the Lofoten Council, Lofotkraft and Destination Lofoten for regional transition in the green shift. Together, we will develop the low-emission society of Lofoten and create the world's cleanest island community.
Photo: Christian Clauwers (main image) and Nord-Norges Europakontor (in the text).
Press contacts
Elnar Holmen Tel: 99 51 43 21 Laura Johanne Olsen Tel: 907 51 275 Anders Tørud Tel: 932 87 107
BLU Lofoten The Green Islands Energy in the North
Download the project initiative's presentation from Brussels.