Climate change

Setting requirements and supplier and partner dialogue are important means through which the Hafslund Group shall limit direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

• Dialogue conference: In the autumn of 2023, Hafslund took the initiative to arrange a dialogue conference on zero emissions and renewable development of renewable energy in collaboration with Renewables Norway and other players in the industry. The conference consisted of presentations of solutions and needs and dialogue between builders, contractors, machine manufacturers and rental suppliers about what will be required to achieve zero-emission renewable projects.
• Climate requirements in connection with procurement: In autumn 2023, standard requirements were introduced for greenhouse gas emissions and climate reporting in electrical and mechanical projects in Hafslund’s hydropower activities. Among the new requirements are that projects need to have greenhouse gas budgets and accounts.
• New supplier for transport and final treatment of fly ash: In 2023, Hafslund Oslo Celsio completed the procurement process for the transport and final treatment of fly ash. Environment and climate were set as the criteria for awarding this contract. As of 2024, the selected supplier has committed to driving 50 per cent of the transport using biogas, and that 1/3 of the distance driven will be replaced by electric ferry.
• Sustainable and responsible value chains for solar energy: Hafslund participates in a working group for responsible value chains through the Norwegian Solar Energy Cluster (Solenergiklyngen), which is the industry association for solar energy in Norway. This work includes the setting of requirements and environmental weighting in connection with procurements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in future procurement processes. Among the measures are documentation and traceability in the value chain and requirements for EPDs (Environmental Product Declaration).

Hafslund has a target of a 100 per cent electric vehicle fleet by 2025. Hafslund estimates that a 100 per cent electric vehicle fleet would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1) by 600 tonnes of CO₂e when compared to a 100 per cent fossil fuel-based vehicle fleet. In 2023, Hafslund increased the proportion of electric vehicles since 2022 by 23 percentage points to a total of 56 per cent.

More than 50 per cent of the hydropower business’ greenhouse gas emissions are indirect emissions from the materials used for rehabilitating facilities and developing new hydropower. Low-carbon materials have been used in selected projects since 2022.

Orsendvatn Dam is a 400-metre-long hydropower dam in Hallingdal that, as required by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, is to be rehabilitated. Greenhouse gas calculations made in the preliminary project contributed to the decision to construct a new rock-fill dam downstream of the previous dam. This alternative had the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. Large amounts of rock and soil deposits will be moved during the construction phase, and the aim of the project is to move large quantities of the soil deposits using electric machines and thereby significantly reduce diesel consumption.

In order to replace the use of diesel generators in the surface treatment of the inner pipeline in Aurland 1, 2.5 km of 22 kV power cable was laid and construction power was installed. This measure reduced the expected consumption of 187,920 litres of diesel and reduced CO2 emissions by 498 tonnes.

Haflsund Oslo Celsio’s planned carbon capture project at Klemetsrud entered a cost-reducing phase in 2023. The ambition remains to establish carbon capture at the Klemetsrud waste incineration plant, however the path towards that target needs to be adjusted. The carbon capture plant can contribute to reducing a significant proportion of Oslo’s CO2 emissions, and the project is essential for Oslo being able to achieve its ambitious climate targets. The project could also serve as an important international demonstration. Carbon capture will prevent the majority of Hafslund Oslo Celsio’s direct emissions (Scope 1).

A 33-metre-high “Thermos flask” with space to store more than eight million litres of hot water has arisen at Hafslund Oslo Celsio’s heating plant at Haraldrud in Oslo. The accumulator tank was brought online in 2023. The tank acts as a large energy storage unit and better equips Hafslund Oslo Celsio and Oslo in a number of ways. It allows Hafslund Oslo Celsio to produce district heating regularly and efficiently even if demand fluctuates throughout the day. It also makes it possible to reduce the use of peak loads in district heating production when the electricity grid is under the greatest strain. The energy storage unit also helps maintain stable pressure in the pipe network and functions as an emergency reservoir. This helps reduce downtime in the event of leaks in the grid.

In 2022, Hafslund Vekst commenced a new initiative to develop large-scale solar power plants. Together with Magnora and Helios, Hafslund Vekst aims to develop 1,000 MW of large-scale solar power in Norway. There were around 20 projects under development in 2023, and the licensing process with the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate has commenced for the first of these projects. The goal is to have the first projects ready for development and production in Norway during 2024/2025. In July, Hafslund Vekst signed an agreement with Helios to purchase seven solar projects with 252 MWp capacity under development in Sweden, of which four projects are expected to be ready for development in 2024.

In 2022, Hafslund commenced a new initiative in collaboration with OBOS to develop local renewable electricity production with solar power on roofs. In June 2023, the first solar installation from Enny was brought online at the Lambertseter centre, a facility with installed capacity of approximately 200 kWp which will provide around 150.000 kWh of locally produced renewable electricity annually. A total of five additional facilities were installed in 2023, which represents a total of 1.400 kWp and approximately 2.500 kWh.

Hafslund has partnered with Eidsiva to develop onshore wind in close cooperation with host municipalities, landowners and local communities. The first stage will involve assessing the potential for wind power in Eastern Norway, and especially locations where the establishment of wind power can solve local and regional power needs and contribute to positive ripple effects.

Hafslund collaborates with Fred. Olsen on the development of offshore wind in long-term partnership with Blåvinge. To contribute towards developing zero-emission workboats, pilot project was initiated for zero-emission solutions for the installation and operation of floating offshore wind turbines in the “Green Shipping Programme” (Grønn skipsfartsprogram). The pilot project will assess an anchor-handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel powered by ammonia and battery, to operate between the Utsira Nord offshore wind farm and port of Karmsund during the installation phase of the new wind turbines.

Hafslund and Telenor, together with their partners, have established a company with the ambition of becoming a leading player in the market for data centres for co-location for private and public enterprises, with very strict requirements for security and efficient energy consumption. Together with Hafslund Oslo Celsio, the company will design data centres that have effective solutions for reusing the excess heat for district heating.

In 2023, Hafslund and Volte received NOK 10 million in support from Enova for a project relating on how small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can reduce electricity costs and generate revenue by freeing up grid capacity and contributing to balance in the energy system. Volte is 50/50 owned by Hafslund and Eviny.