Norway Identifies Four New Offshore Wind Development Areas

Norwegian authorities have identified four additional areas suitable for offshore wind development. The government is currently conducting consultations on the findings before deciding which area it would proceed with.

The country plans to open enough acreage by 2040 to allow for the development of 30GW of offshore wind projects, increasing its capacity by around 75%. Initially, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) identified 20 offshore wind deployment areas.

The government has already chosen two of the three areas previously assessed. Soerlige Nordsjoe II and Utsira Nord, Norway’s first offshore wind farms, have been offered state support of $2.26bn and $3.48bn, respectively. Currently, offshore wind in Norway is not profitable without governmental financial support.

The four new areas are all located in southern Norway, as it provides better wind conditions. If wind farms are built there, the NVE believes that there will be limited consequences for fisheries and the environment.