Industry Organisations, News

Norwegian-German summit at DNV

On 5 November 2021, DNV hosted a meeting between Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Marte Mjøs Persen, and Norwegian and German business leaders. The meeting focused on how German and Norwegian businesses can work together to...

Both the EU and Norway have committed themselves to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030. The meeting addressed status quo of the energy transition in both countries, including how companies and top management can successfully contribute to ensure emission reduction goals are being met. Business opportunities to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between Norway were also discussed.

DNV’s Group President and CEO Remi Eriksen included in his opening remarks:

«Norway and Germany’s bilateral energy cooperation was established more than 40 years ago when the two countries were connected through the Norpipe subsea gas pipelines linking Ekofisk and Emden. Norway has a clear ambition of becoming a significant player within hydrogen, carbon capture and storage as well as floating offshore wind. This makes the country well-positioned to further develop its role as an important energy partner to Germany. Moreover, Norway’s water reservoirs have the potential of becoming a “battery” for a European energy system which is increasingly becoming dependent of variable renewable energy sources.”

Wind technology, hydrogen as well as carbon capture and storage (CCUS) were all presented as key technological opportunities in both countries. Other subjects that were covered include the development of new renewable infrastructure such as NordLink, the electrification of both onshore and offshore operations and offshore wind, and the potential of establishing a future value chain for hydrogen in Northern Europe. Decarbonization technologies were also high on the agenda, iing opportunities linked to CCncludS, ammonia, and hydrogen.

The Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Marte Mjøs Persen acknowledged that “whether politicians or industry leaders, we share the need for knowledge on how to navigate in an ever-changing future when it comes to technology, energy and climate.” Further she said, “Our policies will have an active approach – creating jobs, increasing export and facilitate for new and existing industries based on our common natural resources.”

«It has been impressive to listen to the business leaders that were present for today’s round table discussion. There are a lot of examples of past and ongoing projects involving both German and Norwegian companies aiming to speed up the energy transition in Europe, including the collaboration agreement for offshore wind between Equinor, RWE Renewables and Hydro REIN. Other examples are the green hydrogen an ammonia plant in Berlevåg in Northern Norway which helps decarbonize arctic shipping and off-grid plants, and HeidelbergCement’s plans to install the world’s first full-scale CCS facility in a cement plant in Brevik, Norway,”, concludes Chief Communication Officer of DNV and President of the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, Ulrike Haugen.

The Norwegian-German summit was held in collaboration with the Norwegian-German Chamber of Commerce, key facilitator for bilateral trade relations between Germany and Norway and attracted top managers from the following companies that were present:

• Dominik von Achten, CEO, HeidelbergCement

• Giv K. Brantenberg, General Manager, Heidelberg Cement Northern Europe

• Alv Bjørn Solheim, Managing Director, Wintershall Dea Norge

• Bjørn Einar Brath, Managing Director, Siemens Energy AS

• Till Schwarzlose, Director Offshore Development Floating & Hydrogen, RWE Renewables GmbH

• Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, DNV

• Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, President and CEO, Statkraft AS

• Knut Nyborg, CEO of Aker Clean Hydrogen

• Grete Tveit, Senior Vice President Low Carbon Solutions, Equinor ASA

• Liv Monica Stubholt, Chairman of the board, Oslo Fortum Varme and Green Ammonia Berlevåg

• Pål Kildemo, CFO, Norsk Hydro ASA

• Lars Røsæg, Executive Vice President Corporate Development & Deputy CEO, Yara International

• Gjermund Løyning, Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, NHO