The Norwegian government has opened the first national bids for the construction of offshore wind farms. The government is asking for bids for two areas on the Norwegian continental shelf, Srlige Nordsj II and Utsira Nord. The first tenders mark a huge step towards Norway’s ambition to produce 30 GW of offshore wind by 2040.
The significance of accelerating the development of more renewable capacity was emphasised in a report by Norway’s Energy Commission, which was published earlier in 2023. The government has already started evaluating potential new offshore wind energy sites, and it plans to make these announcements in 2025. Applications for Srlige Nordsj II must be submitted by August 4, 2023, and Utsira Nord must be submitted by September 1, 2023.
In December 2022, Aker Solutions joined forces with Mainstream Renewable Power, Ocean Winds, and Statkraft for the upcoming Utsira Nord floating wind project in Norway. The companies would collaborate to develop economical, sustainable technology for the project, as per the terms of the agreement. These would include initiatives for design, building, fabrication, and installation, as well as other cost-cutting ideas and technology.
REGlobal’s Views: Norway has a target to install up to 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, which will significantly help the country to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Due to its attractive potential and feasibility for offshore wind, this auction is expected to witness significant interest from both domestic and international players.
