Offshore wind business Corio Generation and Norwegian renewable energy developer Å Energi are to develop Norway’s first grid-scale floating offshore wind farm.
The companies have created the Nordvegen Vind joint venture to target Utsira Nord, a deep water site off the southwest coast of Norway.
In December last year, the Norwegian government announced its intention to award up to 1.5GW of capacity in the first phase of the Sørlige Nordsjø II by the end of 2023.
Utsira Nord is one of two areas the government has opened to licensing applications as part of the country’s target to generate 30GW from offshore wind by 2040.
Green Investment Group’s Corio and Å Energi already form part of Brigg Vind, a consortium set up with Norwegian renewable energy developer Vårgrønn to initially target the first round of awards for offshore wind in the Sørlige Nordsjø II area, in the Southern part of the North Sea.
Jonathan Cole, CEO of Corio Generation, said: “Norway has the ambition to become one of the first countries in Europe to develop grid-scale floating windfarms. We share this deep desire and believe Norway can show the way forward for floating wind, capturing the full potential of this phenomenal technology.
“Our Norvegen Vind team brings together Corio’s offshore wind experience, industrial capability, and access to capital with Å Energi’s impressive regional presence and energy market expertise. Together, we can deliver on Norway’s vision of an offshore wind nation leading the world.”
Steffen Syvertsen, CEO of Å Energi, said: “Nordvegen Vind will, through Utsira Nord, contribute to developing a world-class floating offshore wind industry. In addition to contributing to increased renewable power production, offshore wind is a great opportunity for Norway to create new jobs, increase activity in the supply industry, new export opportunities, industrial development and local spin-offs.”
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