The Norwegian Hima Seafood Receives an Investment of GBP 40 Million for construction of world’s largest land-based trout farm

The Norwegian company Hima Seafood will receive an investment of GBP 40 million (USD 48.6 million, EUR 47.8 million) over the next three to four years for its land-based trout farming project in Rjukan, Norway. Hima’s recirculating aquaculture systems farm is expected to start operations in 2024 and be fully operational in 2025, with a planned annual production of 8,000 metric tons of trout.

Hima Seafood received the investment from JLEN Environmental Assets, from London, United Kingdom. “We consider that this investment will deliver environmental benefits to the food system and offer a product to suit today’s consumer needs,” said Richard Ramsay, JLEN Senior Independent Director.

The company promotes its trout as a premium product, sourced from the unique Osland strain of trout, which it claims is “one of the oldest in Norway, and the definitive taste of the Norwegian highlands.”

Reuse of waste heat from the data center

Last year, Norwegian colocation company Green Mountain and Hima Seafood entered into an agreement on the reuse of waste heat from the data center in the world’s largest land-based trout farm.

Construction has started last year and when fully operational in 2023, the waste heat will be used in the production of 8,000 tons of trout annually. Both energy consumption and carbon footprint will be significantly reduced in this sustainable project.

“At Rjukan, Norway, Hima is establishing a land-based trout farm based on recirculation aquaculture technology, also known as RAS. This technology is the most sustainable, scalable, and environmentally conscious form of aquaculture production available today.”

“Green Mountain’s waste heat represents a significant cost savings in our production, and we are thrilled that our heating requirements can help reduce the environmental footprint of Green Mountain and help cool the data center in return. This truly is a win-win solution for both parties,” assured Sten Falkum, Chief Executive Officer of Hima Seafood.

About 8,000 tons of trout

When the facility is completed and fully operational, it will produce about 8,000 tons of trout, which is equivalent to 22,000,000 dinners per year. This will, by far, be the world’s largest land-based trout farm.

“Ensuring a consistent and stable water temperature for our fish is key to producing a world-class product. Superior product quality and environmental sustainability are not just slogans for us, they are part of Hima’s DNA,” said Joe McElwee, Farm Director.

Energy that otherwise will be wasted

Only 800 meters from the trout farm, Green Mountain’s DC2-Telemark is located. By connecting the two facilities together by a pipe system, Green Mountain can deliver heated water to Hima. This is energy that would otherwise be released into the air and wasted.

Heat exchanger technology will then ensure that the Hima facility can use the energy from the water to obtain the correct water temperature in their RAS solution. The same water is subsequently returned to Green Mountain. The water now holds a lower temperature which can be used in the cooling of the data center –creating a truly circular project.

Breakthrough example of circular economy

Hima Seafood and Green Mountain share a strong commitment minimizing the environmental impact from its operations and recognize that this project represents a breakthrough example of circular economy in practice.

“Data centers are undoubtably very energy consuming. Although our data centers run on 100% renewable hydropower, we do not like to waste the energy. This project is a breakthrough example of circular economy –where the output of one company can benefit another with an environmental benefit on top. Our vision is ‘setting the green standard’ and this project truly supports this,” says CEO of Green Mountain, Tor Kristian Gyland.