Norway’s Ministry of Energy said on Wednesday it has awarded project areas to two applicants in the country’s 1,500-megawatt Utsira Nord floating wind tender, clearing the way for the next phase of development.
A partnership between Equinor and Vargronn, along with a separate consortium formed by Deep Wind Offshore and EDF Power Solutions, will each receive a designated area after the ministry completed its evaluation of the two bids. Both applicants met qualification requirements and responded effectively to qualitative criteria, the ministry said.
“I am pleased that we can move forward and award project areas in Utsira Nord to two strong applicants. These projects will contribute to developing floating offshore wind technology and increasing renewable power generation in South-West Norway,” Minister of Energy Terje Aasland said.
The ministry received the two applications ahead of the 15 September 2025 deadline. With area allocations now confirmed, the companies can submit proposals for project-specific impact assessment programmes, begin environmental assessments and later file licence applications. Licence submissions must be made within two years of the approval of each impact assessment programme.
Companies that proceed to the licensing stage will also gain eligibility to compete for state aid. If both partnerships apply, the group requiring the least public support will receive funding, up to a maximum of NOK 35 billion.
