Vestland – Bergen

Media City Bergen, Lars Hilles gate 30, 5008 Bergen

Key Activities in 2022

  • Innovation Norway Vestland contributed NOK 960 million in loans and grants to a proactive business sector. NOK 848 million went to customers in Vestland. This includes substantial loans for the fishing and short sea shipping fleets, and important environmental technology grants for zero-emission projects and the green transition.
  • Green Region Vestland took a strategic approach to realising sustainable industrial projects in hubs. NOK 76 million in loans from Innovation Norway via the Green Platform for underwater hydrogen storage in Odda is an example of the huge green industrial boost that is now happening. The SNU 4.0 upskilling process for industrial symbioses boosts all of the green hubs within industrial symbiosis. We have now put in place a project organisation for Green Region Vestland.
  • In agriculture, we have particularly focused on conversions from stall barns to loose housing in dairy production and on increasing green production. In Vestland, we continue to invest in cider production and projects that tie agriculture and tourism together.
  • The region has strong industrial and commercial players within green value chains, which are key to the transition in the Norwegian economy. Examples include green shipping, hydrogen, battery technology, seafood, and offshore wind. We were instrumental in the region continuing to obtain EU funding for green innovation projects.
  • There is considerable interest in exports and international growth. Companies from Vestland are participating in our Global Growth programme within Salmon Aquaculture Canada, Maritime Hydrogen Germany, Hydrogen and CCUS in France, Offshore Wind, and Norwegian Tunnels Chile.
  • Innovation Week OPP, Vestland’s innovation festival, is important for building a culture of entrepreneurship in the county. We both arranged and facilitated a large number of events again during the year, of which Capital Day in Førde with its full house and an opening event in Bergen focusing on green business development were highlights.

Funding in 2022

The figures shown below apply to Vestland.

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