**Norway Enhances Assessment of Future Offshore Wind Areas**
In a significant step towards meeting its renewable energy targets, the Norwegian government has directed the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) to initiate comprehensive strategic impact assessments for three new areas poised for offshore wind development. These assessments will pave the way for the inclusion of these areas in the 2025 tender round, thereby boosting Norway’s ambition to allocate 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2040.
The need for new, renewable power in Norway is substantial, and offshore wind energy is expected to play a crucial role in meeting this demand. Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland, emphasized, “We have a great need for new, renewable power in the coming years, and offshore wind can contribute a significant part of this power. At the same time, the development of a domestic market can provide exciting opportunities for further developing the Norwegian supplier industry.”
The current plan involves evaluating the Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord areas, which were previously assessed in 2012 and identified as potential sites for a total of 4.5 GW of wind energy. However, the proposed inclusion of the Sørvest F and Vestavind F areas alters the preconditions of the original assessment, necessitating a new comprehensive study to determine the full potential and implications of these expanded territories.
Additionally, the government has instructed the NVE to conduct a strategic impact assessment of the Vestavind B region, which is notable for its excellent wind conditions and existing infrastructure. This area, like the others, will be evaluated for its suitability and potential for wind farm development.
The NVE has been tasked to complete these strategic impact assessments by the end of November 2024 for the areas scheduled for the 2025 tender round. For other regions relevant for later tendering rounds, the assessments are due to be completed by the end of June 2025.
Norway’s push towards offshore wind energy not only strengthens its commitment to sustainability but also positions the country as a key player in the development of floating wind technology. The presence of established infrastructure in areas like Vestavind B further supports this initiative by providing critical knowledge and resources for wind farm operations.
The expansion of offshore wind areas in Norway is in line with global trends, with the global floating offshore wind project pipeline growing significantly over the past year. The total pipeline now stands at 266 GW, with Norway contributing