The ministry had set an application deadline of 1 September 2023, and in the tentative timetable for prequalification and allocation of land, it has been planned that this will happen by the end of the year.

It is expected that there will be a need for state support for the development of offshore wind in Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord which must be approved by ESA.

The Ministry has had a dialogue with ESA, and a pre-notification has been sent.

After talks with ESA this summer, it is clear that it will take somewhat longer than expected to get ESA’s approval, the Ministry said.

Public support for offshore wind in Norway will be the first time offshore wind projects are processed according to CEEAG (Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy) which came in 2022.

The first phase of Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord will also be the first large offshore wind projects in Norway plinth.

Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland said: “The postponed application deadline of two months will mean that the allocation of the first offshore wind areas will only be possible in the new year.

“The goal is still for the first turbines to be in operation by 2030, and we will work closely with the players to realize this.

“The work to prepare the next opening process of new offshore wind areas is ongoing at full strength, and it is still planned to announce new areas in 2025.”

Source Renews