Norseman Wind together with EnBW decided to place their Norwegian offshore development and operation organization in Agder.
Local resources
Norseman Wind makes the decision to manage the operation of the Southern North Sea II project from Kristiansand. According to the company, Agder County, where Kristiansand is located, is a perfect location for its offshore wind investment. It is only a short distance from the southern North Sea.
The site selected by Norseman Wind also offers access to skilled labor. In addition, the GCE Node cluster has many interesting suppliers. Norseman Wind could collaborate with these different companies.
A strategic location
Norseman Wind and EnBW will develop 1.5 GW of offshore wind power in the southern North Sea II. This will provide Norway with a significant amount of renewable energy. In addition, the project takes place in a context of energy shortage and high prices.
The Southern North Sea II also represents a major industrial opportunity for the Agder region. The development will cost about €3.5 billion and 50% of this sum will supply the Norwegian industry with suppliers. In addition, the process of the first contracts is already underway.
A first auction in 2023
The development organization of Norseman Wind and EnBW will create several hundred skilled jobs related to the development of the Agder region. Kristiansand will be the headquarters of Norseman Wind and the Norwegian headquarters of EnBW. In addition, the first phase of the Southern North Sea II project will have an annual budget of NOK 600-800.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy will announce the auction for the Southern North Sea II in the first quarter of 2023. As a result, an operator will likely be awarded a site before the summer of next year. Norseman Wind and EnBW’s decision to move the headquarters to Kristiansand strengthens the chances of winning the auction.