EXPO 2025: Japanese interest in Nordic hydrogen and other energy solutions
Progress is rapid in Japan, the fifth biggest economy in the world. The Japanese are always on the lookout for new solutions to cope with energy demand, an area where Nordic companies have a role to play, especially in green energy. The joint Nordic Energy Day was a huge draw for current and potential Japanese business partners, who learned about solutions from a range of Nordic companies, as well as about theNordic Hydrogen Valleys initiative, which was presented by Klaus Skytte, Director of Nordic Energy Research.
The Nordic countries are in a unique position to be at the forefront of the green transition, integrate hydrogen into energy systems and promote a clean hydrogen economy. I envisage huge potential for the Nordic countries and Japan to work more closely together in this area, which is crucial if we are to reach our climate goals. Hydrogen connects renewables with end-users – including in the infrastructure sector – and helps integrate sectors, too. Developing the whole of the value chain is the key to green transition, so I hope that mapping Nordic Hydrogen Valleys will highlight the strength of Nordic co-operation and promote synergies with Japanese initiatives.
Hydrogen has potential
One of the key points in the Nordic Hydrogen Valleys presentation was that hydrogen has the potential to be an important source of energy while cutting CO2 emissions in energy-intensive industrial processes and transport – a point that resonates from Oslo to Osaka and all points in between. The Nordic Energy Research report, Nordic Hydrogen Valleys, maps value chains and provides an overview of projects. The mapping is visualised by an interactive digital tool that provides an overview of ongoing developments and progress on value chains. It gives decision makers, investors and society as a whole a solid foundation on which to make informed and knowledge-based decisions.
A joint initiative for a competitive Nordic Region
Nordic Energy Day was organised by the Nordic Council of Ministers in close collaboration with business development agencies from the Nordic countries. The Council of Ministers is a partner in the Nordic Pavilion at EXPO as part of its work to maintain and strengthen the competitiveness of the Nordic Region. Energy Day is the second in a series of Joint Nordic Days on various themes that the Council of Ministers is hosting at EXPO 2025. Other themes in the coming months will include health technology, literature, gender equality, regional development and the Arctic.
