A group of Norwegian directorates led by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) has identified 20 new areas for offshore wind development. The areas, which the directorates recommended should be investigated further, are deemed technically suitable for offshore wind, with relatively low conflicts of interest. 

This is part of the Norwegian authorities’ work towards having 30 GW of offshore wind in operation by 2040.

The 20 new offshore wind areas identified in Norway are said to have good wind resources and relatively low conflicts of interest between the environment, fisheries and other industries. The areas are located along the entire Norwegian coast, from Skagerak in the south to the Barents Sea in the north.

Nevertheless, the directorate group says the areas may still have some conflicts of interest, linked to, for example, aquaculture, fisheries, environmental interests, oil and gas and shipping. However, the directorate group said that within 19 of the 20 identified areas, it could be possible to develop projects which could coexist with other interests.

Before opening up any of the areas, they must go through a strategic impact assessment. Along with mapping the new areas, the directorate group has also drawn up a proposal for a study programme that sets out the framework for further investigations, which will provide a better knowledge base and facilitate the selection of the areas most suitable for the development of offshore wind.

“We don’t have a final decision today on how much offshore wind will be built and where. We will need further studies on environmental and business interests, but also on economics, effects on the power system and the need for grids. In that process, it is conceivable that some areas will be reduced or eliminated altogether”, said Kjetil Lund, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Director.

New Areas That Could Be Put to Auction in 2025 Are Extensions to Southern North Sea II and Utsira Nord
Part of the task of the directorate group has been to create a timetable for a possible new allocation of offshore wind areas in 2025. In addition, the group was tasked with assessing whether it is possible to increase capacity in the Sørlige Nordsjø II (Southern North Sea II) and Utsira Nord, for which the Norwegian government opened the application window last month in the country’s first offshore wind auction.

Source: Offshorewind