The Norwegian Ministry of Energy has announced the postponement of the Utsira Nord offshore wind tender to the auction round in 2025. This decision affects areas relevant for floating wind projects.
The Ministry stated that it has been in a “good and constructive dialogue with Esa, EFTA's monitoring body, regarding state support for floating offshore wind.” As a result of this dialogue, the Ministry has decided to notify a common model for state aid to Utsira Nord before project areas are allocated.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasized the importance of the work with floating offshore wind, stating, “The work with floating offshore wind has a very high priority and we are impatient to move forward. At the same time, we must do this in a proper and predictable way.”
The Ministry aims to gain approval for the notification before the end of the year and plans to allocate project areas in Utsira Nord in 2025.
By notifying before project areas are allocated, the Ministry aims to provide better predictability and legal certainty for applicants. It will also allow for a joint clarification of areas relevant for floating offshore wind in the 2025 round.
The state aid for these projects will be notified according to the environmental guidelines in the state aid regulations (CEEAG). A public consultation on eligibility and key parameters for the grant award is planned to be carried out before the summer of 2024.
The postponement of the Utsira Nord offshore wind tender reflects the Ministry's commitment to developing a solid foundation for floating offshore wind projects in Norway.
