Norway has launched a consultation as it prepares to award North Sea sites that could support 4.5GW of offshore wind capacity.
It aims to tender the Sørlige Nordsjø II and the deep-water Utsira Nord sites off the south coast of Norway by the end of the first quarter of 2023, according to the consultation, which closes on 6 January.
The government believes Sørlige Nordsjø II could support two 1.5GW offshore wind projects, while Utsira Nord could support three 500MW projects.
It plans to use qualitative criteria for facilitating innovation and technological development in floating offshore wind for Utsira Nord, while it plans to limit government support for Sørlige Nordsjø II through a competitive auction.
Manager of industry body Norwegian Offshore Wind Arvid Nesse said floating wind would initially be dependent on Norwegian state support, and added: “We need a speedy process, and we expect the government to keep the timeline they have promised today.”
A host of offshore wind heavyweights have already announced their interest in development in Norway’s waters.
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