Vår Energi has entered into a collaboration with Odfjell Oceanwind and Source Galileo to pursue a pilot project for floating offshore wind at Goliat, Norway.
The Goliat oil platform is currently electrified and is supplied with power from shore through a power cable with a capacity of 75MW.
The purpose of the project, which is called GoliatVind, is to use the cable as infrastructure for electricity to the mainland and increased renewable power generation in Finnmark.
GoliatVind is a pilot project to demonstrate new, Norwegian offshore wind technology and can contribute to further electrification in a time of increased demand for renewable power.
The project is currently in an early phase, and multiple factors are being studied before a concept selection and a development decision can be made.
This covers regulatory framework conditions, including incentives and a development licence from the authorities.
The preliminary plan is to build three to five floating wind turbines at Goliat, each with a capacity of 15MW.
This means that GoliatVind may contribute up to 75MW of installed capacity, depending on the project’s scope. Current operations on Goliat require about 50MW.
Regardless of the scope, the project can increase overall power generation in the Hammerfest region.
Vegard Bruaset, Vår Energi’s vice president for the Barents Sea Area, said: “The Government has decided that all parts of society must be electrified to reach Norway’s climate targets.
“This requires the development of new renewable power generation.
“Vår Energi is exploring opportunities to make the power cable and necessary capacity on the platform available precisely to contribute to this.
“Odfjell Oceanwind and Source Galileo will be the developer and owner.
“Vår Energi has no plans to enter into commercial or operational commitments in the wind park.”