Norway to Launch a Tender for a Floating Offshore Wind Farm
Norway is preparing a tender for 1.5 GW of floating offshore wind capacity, a step toward its goal of 30 GW by 2040.
Floating offshore wind farm development is accelerating in several parts of the world. Norway plans to hold its next tender for 1.5 GW of floating capacity in 2025, a milestone in its strategy for 30 GW of offshore capacity by 2040. The Norwegian government announced support of NOK 35 billion (around €3 billion) to spur the technology, with a focus on the Vestavind F and Vestavind B areas, which include ongoing strategic environmental impact assessments.
Hywind Tampen: a world reference
Hywind Tampen, developed by Equinor to supply renewable power to oil and gas platforms in the North Sea, is the world's largest floating offshore wind farm. It has 88 MW of installed capacity, with 11 turbines of 8 MW each, mounted on floating concrete foundations anchored at depths of 260 to 300 metres. The structures were built at Kværner Stord, Norway; the project began partial operation in 2022 and was fully completed in 2023, becoming the first in the world to supply wind power directly to oil and gas facilities.
- National target of 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040
- Government support of NOK 35 billion (around €3 billion)
- Ongoing strategic environmental impact assessments in the Vestavind F and Vestavind B areas