Safety and security arguments in resistance to ammonia production plants: A case study from Sauda, Norway

In the transition towards green energy, ammonia is regarded as a promising energy carrier within sectors such as maritime transport. However, the establishment of ammonia production plants can encounter resistance from local communities and other stakeholders. One key concern driving opposition is the potential risk of accidents, especially given ammonia's toxic and explosive properties. Resistance to ammonia production and use has received limited scholarly attention, and in-depth studies of specific cases have been called for. Answering to this call, this paper presents a case study of a proposed ammonia plant in Sauda, Norway. The planned ammonia production has faced significant objections from residents. Through a document analysis of consultative statements submitted during the municipal council's review of the project plan, we investigate how safety and security concerns were invoked as arguments against the proposed ammonia plant. In the analysis, all arguments used against the plant, including the frequency of their use, are mapped. These include safety and security arguments, health arguments, climate and environment arguments, arguments regarding effects on the local community, and dissatisfaction with or questions about the municipality's administrative procedure. The arguments are discussed in relation to previous studies on perceived costs, benefits, and risks. Then, the safety and security arguments are subject to a more thorough analysis. We find that residents' risk perceptions differ from the risk assessment conclusions in the ammonia project plan.

Keywords: Hydrogen, ammonia, public acceptance, perceived effects, risk perception.