offshore wind energy by 2040 (Kristian Kirk Mailand/Dreamstime)
Sector hails early appointments as Norway eyes 30GW of offshore wind power by 2040.
Norway today approved two consortia to develop 1.5GW of floating offshore wind farms off Utsira in Rogaland county, southwestern Norway.
The decision was supposed to have come in the first half of next year, but only two joint ventures applied to develop three designated project areas, so the Ministry of Energy accepted them, saying both met the qualification requirements and answered the qualitative criteria well.
The two teams are Equinor Utsira Nord with Vårgrønn Utsira Nord, and the Harald Hårfagre joint venture consisting of Deep Wind Offshore Norway and EDF Renouvelables International.
Work won’t start right away. The teams can now submit proposals for impact assessment programmes, conduct those assessments, and they have two years to apply for licences.
They can also compete in a reverse auction for up to $3.47bn (NOK 35 billion) in state aid for their projects. If both apply, the team asking for the least wins.
“I am pleased that we can move forward and award project areas in Utsira Nord to two strong applicants,” said energy minister Terje Aasland, adding: “These projects will contribute to developing floating offshore wind technology and increasing renewable power generation in South-West Norway.”
Norway wants to develop 30GW of offshore wind energy by 2040.
In 2024, the first, non-floating wind project area, Sørlige Nordsjø II, was awarded to Ventyr.
Utsira Nord is too deep for turbines resting on the sea floor.
‘Truly a great day’
Industry body Norwegian Offshore Wind hailed the move as “truly a great day” for the sector.
“Every cloud has a silver lining,” said Arvid Nesse, CEO of Norwegian Offshore Wind.
“With only two applicants, the processing may have been simpler. In any case, it is encouraging to see that the ministry did not just stick to the original timeline but is actually accelerating the process. Hopefully, this also frees up time for them to work on the comprehensive plan they have promised by next autumn.
“Dare we hope for a launch already at Floating Wind Days in May?”
Nesse added: “For the industry, momentum is crucial right now, and for the supply chain, new opportunities will arise as soon as the areas are awarded and the planning begins.”
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