At Frier Vest in the Grenland region of southern Norway, a major industrial park is under development to provide business locations for sustainable green industries.
The Frier Vest site covers 370 hectares in the heart of the Grenland industrial region. The area is under development as a centre for green industries. There are few if any alternative sites of similar size, and with such close and easy access to port facilities and shipping routes, in the vicinity of the Oslofjord.
The first phase of the project is a full-service industrial park covering 320 hectares, of which 40 hectares was zoned for industrial use in the spring of 2021. A state-of-the-art, publicly owned port facility is under development here. The zoning plan for a combined 370 hectares is approved.
As well as large sites, Frier Vest will offer access to industrial infrastructure such as supplies of coolant, process water and renewable electric power. The region’s ports offer established shipping links to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Sweden and Denmark. The E18 highway is just a short drive away.
The Grenland region is home to about 100,000 people and boasts high levels of industrial expertise. The University of South-Eastern Norway and various private businesses are very active in the research field.
Our goal is to develop an industrial park housing a diverse range of manufacturing businesses that can benefit from one another’s resources. By reusing emissions and sidestreams, we can make better use of resources, add value, and improve sustainability. We are actively encouraging businesses that can contribute to the circular manufacturing economy to locate at Frier Vest.
When fully developed, the port facility will cover a large area, with several hundred metres of quayside and a quayside depth of 15 metres, allowing all cargo types to be handled efficiently. The port facility will be publicly owned to ensure equal access for all users. Development of the port is already under way and will be operational by mid 2026.
Frier Vest shares the objective of the region’s business community to develop the world’s first climate-positive industrial region. Expertise and thorough planning are key factors in our drive to build a new, sustainable industrial park.
Where alternatives exist, Frier Vest will always choose the most environmentally friendly solution.
Frier Vest Holding AS is owned by Grenland Havn IKS (45.94%), Siva Eiendom Holding AS (33.94%) and Bamble municipality (20.11%). Grenland Havn IKS is an intermunicipal company that owns and operates the Port of Grenland. We aim to enhance Grenland’s position as one of Norway’s major ports by proactively accommodating the needs of businesses in the region and embracing sustainable transport solutions. We’re committed to the Frier Vest project in order to ensure new sites are available for industry. Frier Vest is a key project for promoting economic development in Bamble district.
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The Ministry of Local Government and District Affairs approves the zoning plan for Frier Tråk in its entirety. The objection from the County Governor for Vestfold and Telemark is not upheld.
The state's company for industrial growth (Siva) gives a loan of NOK 100 million to Frier Vest Holding AS. Siva has the right to convert the loan into shares, and with this it is likely that the state can become one of the owners.
Vianode signs a lease agreement with Frier Vest Asdal AS and Grenland Havn IKS for an industrial plot of 250 acres in Frier Vest.
Frier Vest signs an agreement with Hydro Rein, which will look at local and short-distance energy solutions within the industrial area.
Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer and a global company in energy market operations, and Frier Vest signs a MoU to develop and market what will be Norway's largest seaside industrial area - Frier Vest.
The detailed zoning plan for Frier Tråk west of county road 353 is approved, except the area BN 2, which will be subject for mediation with the County Governor for Vestfold and Telemark.
Construction work starts in the area where a new port will be established. Port of Grenland is responsible for the development of a new port.
Frier Vest buys 200 hectares of land.
Bamble municipality invests in Frier Vest Holding AS. The company is now owned 30% by Bamble municipality and 70% by Port of Grenland.
The parties in the «Joint Battery Initiative» decides to end their feasibility study. Site selection process in Norway and EU ends.
Shipment of stone from Frier Vest begins.
The «Joint Battery Initiative» considers setting up a battery cell manufacturing plant in Norway, with Frier Vest one of four possible locations.
Work begins on a detailed zoning plan for the site west of county road 353, an area of 370 hectares.
Bamble council approves the Frier Vest zoning plan covering 320 hectares.
The company Frier Vest Holding AS is formed.
Grenland Havn IKS begins buying up land for the Frier Vest industrial park.
The idea of Frier Vest as the future location of an industrial park is born.
370 hectares of industrial land under development
