Norwegian heat pump manufacturer Tequs will receive NOK 12.4 million (€1.03 million/$1.2 million) in funding from the Research Council of Norway to advance the development of a next-generation CO2 (R744) heat pump for high return temperatures, according to a press release from the Research Council.
The project aims to address a limitation of many conventional heat-pump technologies, which often suffer reduced efficiency under high return-temperature conditions. Tequs will collaborate with partner organizations to develop and test the heat pump, which is intended to integrate seamlessly into existing water-based heating systems without major structural modifications.
“This initiative supports Norway’s ambition to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and long-term energy security,” Tequs explained on LinkedIn. “We look forward to contributing to the energy transition and to sharing progress as the project moves forward.”
The funding award is part of a broader NOK 185 million (€15.5 million/$18.1 million) investment program supporting 16 Norwegian companies developing environmentally-friendly energy technologies.
“Energy research is crucial to strengthening Norway’s economy, environment and energy security,” said Terje Aasland, Norway’s Minister of Energy. “Business plays a key role.”
Other funded projects include battery systems for large-scale solar power plants, biofuels for aviation and industrial heat recovery solutions for the aluminium sector. The projects are now receiving funding and are expected to begin in 2026, according to the Research Council of Norway. In addition, NOK 86 million (€7.2 million/$8.4 million) has been awarded to seven companies conducting petroleum-related research.
“This initiative supports Norway’s ambition to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability and long-term energy security.”
Tequs
CO2 heat pump development
Founded in 2021, Tequs was originally established to address growing demand for smaller CO2 heat pumps, a segment traditionally dominated by larger-capacity systems or units dedicated exclusively to hot-water production, Joakim Søgård, Co-Founder and CEO of Tequs, has said previously.
The company launched its TCHP heat pump series in April 2024, offering heating capacities ranging from 17.4kW to 268kW (4.9–76.2TR) and cooling capacities from 13.5kW to 210kW (3.8–59.7TR). The systems are capable of producing hot water at temperatures of up to 90°C (194°F).
Tequs installed its first commercial units in Norway in late 2024. In May 2025 the manufacturer commissioned a 170kW (48TR) TCHP134 CO2 heat pump at an indoor aquatic center in Bergen, Norway, marking one of its early large-scale deployments.
The company is currently planning an expansion into the U.S. market.
