Norwegian regulator NVE has granted GE subsidiary Georgine Wind permission to install an 18MW turbine in the municipality of Gulen as part of a test programme to advance offshore wind technology.
The project, if built, will feature an 18MW offshore turbine with a rotor diameter of up to 250 metres and a maximum tip height of 275 metres.
It will be located within an existing industrial area in Slovag and is expected to generate around 55GWh of electricity annually, enough to supply approximately 2750 Norwegian households.
“This is the largest wind turbine ever approved in Norway,” said Ann Myhrer Ostenby, section head at NVE.
“It is also the first to be licensed inside an existing industrial area.”
The turbine will undergo testing during the first five years of operation before transitioning to standard commercial operation for a further 25 years.
“The testing and operation of this turbine can contribute to increased knowledge about offshore wind technology,” Ostenby added.
NVE said placing the turbine in an established industrial zone would help reduce the direct environmental footprint, though it acknowledged the need to safeguard co-existence with nearby industrial activity.
Gulen municipality has expressed support for the project.
Georgine Wind is required to take several mitigation measures to limit potential environmental impacts, including noise monitoring and post-construction surveys on birdlife and bats.
“If impacts exceed expectations, additional measures must be implemented to reduce disturbance to nature and neighbours,” said Ostenby.
Before construction begins, Georgine Wind must submit a detailed development and operations plan, which will be monitored by NVE through inspections during and after the build phase.