Twenty possible areas were identified for further investigation, covering 54,000km2, which represents 6-13 times the area needed to develop 30GW. The NVE expects a forthcoming strategic impact assessment to lead to adjustments and reductions, leaving only the most suitable areas for development.
In addition to technical suitability and conflicts of interest, the assessments took into account power grid considerations, based on a report published in February by transmission system operator Statnett on the connection of offshore wind to the power network.
The report did not assess the financial implications of an extensive development of offshore wind in Norway, which it noted was not currently profitable.
The country's goal is to allocate sites that could support 30GW of offshore wind by 2040 rather than a straight capacity target.
Arvid Nesse, head of industry organisation Norwegian Offshore Wind, welcomed the report’s inclusion of potential areas along the entire coast. “It will help supply chain companies see more opportunities in their region,” he said.
Areas in Norwegian waters the NVE identified as having offshore wind potential
The report acknowledged conflicts of interest in several of the areas, including with the fisheries sector. Nesse said a focus on this topic was of fundamental importance. “The key to our success with this development is that we find good solutions for everyone with different interests,” he said.
Norway has so far opened two 1.5GW areas to licensing applications: Utsira Nord for floating and Sørlige Nordsjø II for fixed bottom offshore wind. Several international players are planning to bid at forthcoming auctions.
The report mentions the possibility of adding 750MW to the 1.5GW already announced for Utsira Nord. It also proposes studying the 2,702km2 Sørvest F area, which includes Sørlige Nordsjø II and could host up to 11.5GW of offshore wind capacity in total.
Nesse urged the government to rapidly produce a timeline of future tenders with details of capacity and volume for each round. ”The supplier industry must have predictability in an early phase, so that they can make the investments needed,” he said.
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