Vireon Secures €9.2 Million EU Grant to Drive Green Hydrogen Infrastructure in Finland and Denmark

Vireon, a subsidiary of Norwegian Hydrogen and a prominent hydrogen refueling company in the Nordics, has clinched a substantial EU grant of €9.2 million (NOK 106 million). The grant is earmarked for the establishment of green hydrogen production and refueling stations for heavy-duty vehicles across Finland and Denmark, signaling a significant advancement in Vireon’s mission to facilitate a transition towards decarbonized transportation networks across Europe.

This achievement comes swiftly after Norwegian Hydrogen’s earlier success this year, securing a separate €9 million grant from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Jens Berge, CEO of Norwegian Hydrogen, expressed deep pride in the team’s ability to secure a combined total of NOK 210 million for their hydrogen initiatives, emphasizing the company’s dedication to fostering a sustainable future and reinforcing its leadership in the green energy sector.

The ambitious project entails the construction and deployment of a 5 MW electrolyzer alongside a network of green hydrogen refueling stations spanning from Northern Finland through Sweden and Denmark to continental Europe. This infrastructure aims to establish a crucial corridor for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, contributing significantly to reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.

The EU grant will facilitate the construction of seven refueling stations in Finland and Denmark, strategically positioned for widespread accessibility to both passenger cars and heavy-duty vehicles. In Finland, four stations will be established in Tornio, Liminka, Jyväskylä, and the greater Helsinki area. Meanwhile, three refueling stations will be located in Denmark, including sites in northern Jutland, Vejle, and Padborg, forming integral components of this transnational project.

Per Øyvind Voie, Managing Director of Vireon, hailed the grant as a monumental milestone, anticipating increased interest from Nordic transportation companies in hydrogen mobility. Voie emphasized Vireon’s readiness to construct the necessary refueling infrastructure to accommodate hydrogen trucks expected to enter Nordic roads from 2025 onwards.

The funding reflects confidence in Norwegian Hydrogen and Vireon’s commitment to advancing green hydrogen infrastructure and technology. Beyond emissions reduction, the project aims to catalyze the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles across the region, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal.

Supported by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), a pivotal EU funding mechanism, this project aligns with the European Green Deal’s objectives. The CEF focuses on enhancing sustainable and interconnected trans-European networks in transport, energy, and digital services, essential for Europe’s decarbonization efforts and the pursuit of a sustainable future by 2030 and 2050.