The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland (AP) presented today the framework for granting offshore wind concessions in the two areas already earmarked for development.
“Today, the offshore wind adventure begins in earnest!”, said the minister. The government will allocate areas corresponding to 30 GW by 2040, and is eager to make rapid progress.
“The government wants the investment in offshore wind to provide industrial development in Norway, facilitate innovation and technology development and provide increased production of renewable power for Norway. To achieve these goals, we must have a close dialogue with the offshore wind industry and other users of the sea,” said Aasland.
The government’s first step is to lauch appeals for consultation related to both areas designated for development: Utsira Nord and Sørlige Nordsjø II. The first consultation is about the prequalification criteria and auction model for Sørlige Nordsjø II. The second is about the qualitative criteria and support scheme for Utsira Nord. Deadline to submit responses to the consultation process is 6 January 2023.
The minister’s objective is to put some areas out for tender already by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
“This is great news for the Norwegian offshore wind industry and great news for Norway,” says NorthWind director, John Olav Tande. “We are pleased to see the government prioritising offshore wind and taking the steps to ensure we can leverage its potential rapidly, in consultation with other users of the sea and in a way that respects nature.”
You can read the government’s own press release about this story (in Norwegian) on their website: Regjeringen går videre i sin satsing på havvind.
