A consortium including AF Gruppen, Multiconsult, DOF, Semar and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has secured NOK 11 million ($1.0 million) in funding from the Research Council of Norway to develop large-scale production of gravity-based concrete foundations for offshore wind, the partners said.
The BetongVIND project will test technology for industrial-scale fabrication of bottom-fixed foundations and aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80% compared with existing solutions, according to the companies. The initiative also targets series production for the European market while supporting local value creation and a lower carbon footprint.
“The aim is to establish a scalable and environmentally friendly production method that gives the Norwegian supply industry a clear competitive advantage,” said Eirik Lind Hånes, project manager at AF Gruppen. “With the support from the Research Council of Norway, the ambition is to develop a competitive value chain for bottom-fixed offshore wind foundations that reduces cost and risk for the end customer.”
The project will focus on improving fabrication methods, increasing automation and optimising material use, as well as streamlining production and installation logistics. The partners said these measures are intended to support cost reductions as offshore wind developers move to larger-scale deployment.
BetongVIND has a total budget of more than NOK 20 million and is scheduled to begin in January 2026, the consortium said.
