Wind Energy – Floating Wind
Norway has announced that it will not be offering acreage for the development of bottom-fixed offshore farms when it announces its next tenders.
Instead, it will focus on floating wind power options.
The government has previously stated that it will offer new areas along the North Sea, bordering Denmark, suitable for installing turbines on seabeds. These areas could also be connected to other countries through hybrid cables.
Terje Aasland, Energy Minister Terje’s statement said: “We do not believe it is the right time to plan hybrid cables at this point.” He cited high costs and the absence of a European framework on hybrid connections.
He added that a study by grid operator Statnett showed that the government would need to support the building of the area called Soervest F, regardless of whether or not the wind farms were connected only to Norway or other markets.
Aasland said he is sceptical about further exposing the Norwegian energy system to challenges of other markets, such as Germany.
