Norway Advances Floating Offshore Wind Technology with New Contracts

Norway’s METCentre, a renowned test center, has recently secured contracts with three companies to trial cutting-edge floating offshore wind technology. The goal is to drive down costs and accelerate progress in the growing renewable energy sector. Situated off the west coast of Norway, METCentre has expanded its testing area to accommodate up to seven turbines, capable of generating a combined 85 MW. These new projects involve floaters with turbines exceeding 15 MW in size, a scale unprecedented elsewhere in the world.

Recognized as a pivotal site for innovation in floating offshore wind energy, METCentre’s new projects are essential for the Utsira Nord development, Norway’s first commercial floating offshore wind farm. Arvid Nesse, the Head of METCentre and Norwegian Offshore Wind, emphasizes the strategic significance of the test site’s location, noting that METCentre holds the exclusive permits to trial projects of this magnitude. The companies involved in the projects are currently in a funding competition and are striving for backing from ENOVA, a state-owned entity that recently initiated a new floating offshore wind program.

Nesse underscores the vital role of these endeavors in upholding Norway’s leading position in floating offshore wind technology on a global scale. He advocates for governmental investment in demonstration and test projects to ensure the profitability and reduced risk of future commercial endeavors. As the floating offshore wind sector advances, METCentre’s initiatives will be pivotal in driving innovation, cutting costs, and shaping the future of renewable energy, not just in Norway but also worldwide.

Source