Vattenfall and Preem will now enter into a feasibility phase to assess the possibility of accelerating the development of a value chain connecting offshore wind and hydrogen with the refining industry on the Swedish west coast to swiftly transform to fossil-free fuels, starting latest 2030.

Vattenfall sees a huge potential to decarbonize industries like refining, petrochemicals, steel, and fertilizers by using fossil-free electricity and hydrogen. Preem and Vattenfall believe that in order to strengthen Sweden’s position as a frontrunner in the emerging markets of fossil-free fuels and materials, new partnerships between fossil-free energy suppliers and decarbonizing industries and innovative cooperations are needed.

On the Swedish west coast there is a highly specialised refinery and petrochemicals industry, great potential for offshore wind power and a strong desire to transform throughout the region. With the recently announced plans by Swedish TSO (Svenska Kraftnät) to expand the transmission network to areas, like the Swedish west coast, within Sweden’s maritime territory, an important framework is set to realize such ambitions.

Preem is Sweden’s largest fuel company and has begun its transition from fossil fuels to a renewable and climate neutral value chain in 2035. Fossil-free hydrogen enables both decarbonization of the refineries and an increased production of renewable fuels such as HVO, renewable gasoline and sustainable aviation fuels. An increased supply of fossil-free hydrogen also enables Preem to explore the development of e-fuels for hard-to decarbonize segments like aviation and maritime.

“For Vattenfall, the electrification of society and industry is at the core of our business strategy. Our strong and growing Swedish offshore wind development portfolio of currently more than 20 TWh offers ample opportunities. Therefore, Vattenfall has taken the initiative for this concept development on the west coast, where offshore wind and hydrogen production can play a key role, in the transformation to a fossil free industry. Cross sector cooperation and partnerships are the way forward,” says Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall.

“The society’s need for renewable fuels is increasing at high speed but the supply of necessary fossil-free hydrogen is still scarce. A new infrastructure for hydrogen from offshore wind could swiftly increase supply and speed up our transition towards a climate neutral value chain and enable production of 5 million cubic meters renewable fuels and e-fuels no later than in 2035. This can only be achieved if we work together and partner up”, says Magnus Heimburg, Preem CEO.

Facts:

• Two thirds of Swedish carbon dioxide emissions today come from industry and transports.
• Sweden’s environmental targets mean that carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector must fall by 70 per cent between 2010 and 2030.
• Year 2019, Vattenfall and Preem signed a three-year agreement which forms the foundation for increased collaboration around fossil-free hydrogen for biofuel production, electrification and electricity supply.
• The companies will now enter into feasibility phase.