Norway has just launched tenders for the construction of two wind farms in the North Sea, capable of producing about 3 gigawatts (GW) of electricity, with the aim of producing 30 GW by 2040. This initiative has generated strong interest from energy companies who are now expressing interest in bidding.
Companies interested in the call for tenders for the various wind farms
The first area, Soerlige Nordsjoe II, which borders the Danish sector of the North Sea, is suitable for wind turbines fixed to the sea floor. It will be developed in two phases, with an initial supply of 1.5 GW to supply Norway only. The second area, Utsira Nord, located northwest of the oil industry capital, Stavanger, is suitable for floating wind turbines. Three licenses with a capacity of 0.5 GW each are offered.
Several companies and joint ventures have confirmed their participation in Norway’s tenders. Shell has partnered with local utilities Eviny and Lyse to prepare bids for Utsira Nord and Soerlige Nordsjoe II. BP announced that it would join Norway’s Statkraft and Mainstream Renewable Power for the permits at Soerlige Nordsjoe II. Statkraft and Mainstream Renewable Power have also partnered with Ocean Winds for a floating wind farm.
In addition, Orsted from Denmark has formed the Blaavinge consortium with Fred. Olsen Renewables and Hafslund-Eco. Equinor is working with RWE from Germany and Norsk Hydro from Norway for an offer to Soerlige Nordsjoe II. RWE is also planning a bid for Utsira Nord as part of another consortium, with the northern Norwegian utility NTE and construction company Havfram. TotalEnergies, Vattenfall, EnBW, Magnora Floating Wind, TechnipFMC and EDF are also working on bids for both sites.
Norway takes an important step towards decarbonizing its economy
Norway has already established a strong position in hydropower and now wants to become a leader in offshore wind power. This initiative is an important step for Norway, which has the ambition to decarbonize its economy by 2050.
