The Norwegian Government has launched a public consultation concerning proposals to open up new areas for offshore renewables development.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy proposes to open the areas ‘Utsira Nord’ and ‘Sandskallen – Soroya Nord’.
The ministry is also requesting input whether the area ‘Sorlige Nordsjo 2′, which is where offshore petroleum activity occurs, should be opened.
In line with Norway’s Ocean Energy Act, areas must be opened by the government before license applications can be submitted.
Minister for Petroleum and Energy Kjell-Borge Freiberg said: “Offshore wind power offers great opportunities for Norwegian businesses.
“In the immediate future the market will be in other countries, but if the costs for offshore wind power continues to fall it could also become competitive in Norway.
“It is now time to prepare for the future development by allocating space for offshore renewables.”
Utsira Nord is a large area, located to the west of Haugesund and is suited for floating wind power, according to the ministry.
The ministry says it can provide opportunities both for demonstration projects and larger projects.
Sandskallen-Soroya Nord, which lies north-west of Hammerfest in Norway’s high north, and has both shallow and deeper waters.
Both floating and bottom-fixed technology is possible here, according to the ministry.
Like Utsira Nord, the area is also relatively close to shore, making it suitable for smaller developments, including demonstration projects.
Freiberg said: “I think it is important to open one area for bottom-fixed wind power near the coast. This provides opportunity for the ocean industries in the north.”
Sorlige Nordsjo 2 borders the Danish waters in the North Sea and is relevant for direct export of electricity, according to the ministry.
The area has depths which make both bottom-fixed and floating wind possible.
As Sorlige Nordsjo 2 is situated in an area with petroleum activities, Freiberg added: “I want to ensure good coordination between the offshore petroleum and renewables industries.
“Therefore, I am asking for feedback on whether Sorlige Nordsjo 2 should be opened and how we best can facilitate the co-existence of these two industries.”
The ministry also proposes a regulation which supplements the Ocean Energy Act and clarifies the licensing process.
The public consultation ends on 1 November.
The public consultation documents are available in Norwegian only, but an English translation of the ministry’s proposal will follow.