We supported Norwegian businesses with more than NOK 7 billion in 2023

In 2023, we supported Norwegian businesses with NOK 7.1 billion in loans, grants and financial guarantees.

Businesses in Vestland county received the most funding from us, with total support exceeding NOK 1.4 billion. Loans accounted for around 60 per cent of this, with a large share going to the fisheries and aquaculture industry. Businesses in Vestland also received the most in grants, totalling NOK 507 million from us last year.

Fisheries, industry, shipping and agriculture are among the sectors performing well in Vestland. We have worked strategically over many years to provide information and encourage engagement in these sectors. The strong results reflect a combination of these outreach efforts and the high level of activity in key industries.

Trøndelag follows closely behind Vestland in terms of grants, with businesses in the region receiving a total of NOK 499 million in grants last year. Of this, NOK 241 million was in agricultural grants, mostly for building barns. Total allocations under this scheme increased by 46 per cent from 2022 to 2023, mainly due to increased funding and higher grant rates.

Innovation grants were the second-largest category, at NOK 143 million. Unlike many other counties, Trøndelag saw a significant increase in funding for start-ups. Both innovation grants and Startup grants primarily supported the development and commercialisation of new technology.

So-called 'fleet loans', or low-risk loans for the fishing fleet, received the largest allocation in 2023. We provided NOK 720 million in loans through this scheme, slightly more than the NOK 680 million in low-risk loans we provided to industry last year.

Of the grants awarded, investment grants for traditional agriculture and horticulture received the largest share, totalling NOK 930 million. Our agricultural remit has expanded significantly in recent years, and last year we strengthened this work further by establishing Bionova, which is now part of our organisation. Bionova will help make Norway's marine, forestry and agricultural sectors greener.

Next is the Environmental Technology Scheme, which has been the largest scheme for many years. Last year, we awarded NOK 470 million through the scheme, which supports the development, piloting and demonstration of new environmental technologies. This includes innovative products or processes that solve an environmental problem.

Aker Horizons Asset Development, Aker's hydrogen company, is receiving support from us to develop a large-scale green hydrogen production facility in Rjukan.

Read the article: Funding for Aker Horizons Asset Development

The project will develop new technology to enable zero-emission ocean-going vessels. 'This is an important project for the green transition and will help achieve the target of cutting emissions from international shipping by 50%,' says Håkon Haugli, our CEO.

Read the article: NOK 49 million for Alma's environmental technology for zero-emission vessels

The project aims to develop a value chain for establishing ammonia bunkering facilities for the maritime sector.

Cenate has received funding to build an industrial pilot facility to develop a silicon-based anode material that can replace a significant proportion of the graphite in an electric vehicle battery. This will enable cheaper, more energy-dense batteries, making electric vehicles more competitive, accelerating the electrification of the global transport sector and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Nekkar has received funding to develop and test solutions for the efficient repair and maintenance of floating offshore wind turbines.

• Financial guarantee: 28 125 000
• Loans: 105 097 625
• Grants: 241 283 750

• Financial guarantee: 11 250 000
• Loans: 137 733 000
• Grants: 347 717 937

• Financial guarantee: 31 875 000
• Loans: 321 293 500
• Grants: 253 357 768

• Financial guarantee: 14 111 250
• Loans: 394 595 000
• Grants: 281 292 715

• Financial guarantee: 114 399 999
• Loans: 145 941 250
• Grants: 272 960 612

• Financial guarantee: 71 925 000
• Loans: 246 890 000
• Grants: 336 552 437

• Loans: 2,000,000
• Grant: 100,000

• Financial guarantee: 12 016 500
• Loans: 342 313 350
• Grants: 228 504 753

• Financial guarantee: 64 556 250
• Loans: 125 479 500
• Grants: 499 170 049

• Financial guarantee: 30 375 000
• Loans: 116 609 500
• Grants: 383 688 698

• Financial guarantee: 78 661 500
• Loans: 818 222 500
• Grants: 507 884 426

• Financial guarantee: 47 250 000
• Loans: 26 760 000
• Grants: 376 348 868

• Financial guarantee: 28 295 200

• Grants: 66 097 805