Offshore wind in Europe

The initiative is part of Innovation Norway’s High Potential Opportunities (HPO) programme for major export initiatives. The aim is to position Norwegian contractors and suppliers in the offshore wind markets in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Poland and Denmark.

Major projects

Norwegian enterprises have opportunities to win major contracts as France plans to construct seven bottom-fixed commercial wind farms. In addition, four floating pilot offshore wind farms are under construction and the first commercial call for tenders for offshore wind farms was made in 2021. From 2023 onwards, the French authorities will offer licences for a total of 1 gigawatt (GW) per year for either bottom-fixed or floating wind capacity. Norwegian companies can bid for these licences or position themselves as subcontractors of the chosen contractor.

The analysis company Menon believes that Norway could, with the right investment and initiatives on the part of the business support system, capture up to 20 percent of the global market for floating offshore wind farms. It estimates that the initiative could generate value of NOK 117 billion and jobs equivalent to almost 130,000 FTEs.

Norwegian solutions

Norway’s oil sector experience gives us an advantage in the development of offshore wind. We were an early developer of new technology and are well equipped to win international tender competitions. A number of Norwegian enterprises and organisations have expressed an interest in the initiative in Europe. Some of the enterprises supply, for example, subsea cables, new floating solutions or foundations. Other enterprises contribute to design and engineering, installation, support, maintenance and inspection. In addition, Norwegian shipyards build special vessels for installing and maintaining offshore wind farms. The energy company Equinor and technology company Origo Solutions are examples of companies that our office in France has worked with on offshore wind.

The project for exporting offshore wind technology to Europe will run for six years, i.e. from 2020-2026.

Team Norway

HPO projects bring together Norway’s entire business support system and other members of Team Norway. Norwegian enterprises receive help from Innovation Norway’s regional and international offices, embassies, Export Finance Norway, NORWEP, chambers of commerce, relevant clusters and other partners as needed.

Team Norway contributes through a bespoke package of services based on the opportunities in the market and business needs. The activities range from political dialogue, financing, networking and marketing to advice for individual enterprises in the market. The contributors to the offshore wind project in Europe include:

• The Norwegian Embassies in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Poland and Denmark
• NORWEP: in Norway and local market consultants
• Norwegian clusters that focus on offshore wind
• The French-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce (CCFN)
• Innovation Norway’s offices in France, Spain, Germany and the UK, as well as advisers with knowledge of Poland and Denmark
• Innovation Norway’s regional offices in Norway, including financial advisers and the EU Team

Innovation Norway will utilise its experience and partnership models in this offshore wind HPO to also strengthen Norwegian exporters’ chances in other offshore wind markets.

The project manager is Erik.Rindvoll@innovasjonnorge.no / +47 416 01 622