Enova awards 1.2 Billion NOK for pioneering offshore wind project

Enova have on 27 January 2025, announced the award of 1,2 billion NOK to Wind Catching Demonstrator through Enova’s competition for support to small-scale commercial offshore wind projects.

Enova announced on 27 January 2025 the award of 1,2 billion NOK, out of a total budget of 2 billion NOK per project, to the Wind Catching Demonstrator-project. The project is the first of its kind and demonstrates a multi-rotor floating wind solution designed to maximize energy yield from each unit. The potential for cost reduction is significant, relating both to reduced maintenance costs and optimalisation of use of acreage.

The project will have a total installed capacity of 40 MW and an estimated annual energy production of 99 GWh. The project is to be installed northwest of Bergen, of the coast of Øygarden municipality, and is scheduled for completion by 2029.

The support is awarded through Enova’s competition for support to small-scale commercial offshore wind projects. The support scheme aims to make floating offshore wind installations along the Norwegian coast cheaper and faster. Enova received nine applications in this round, which was two more than in the last round. So far, nothing has been published regarding the other applicants, and it is therefore unclear whether others may still be granted support.

Wind Catching Systems AS have previously received support from Innovation Norway and was awarded a technology development grant of 22 million NOK (USD 2.1 million) from Enova to develop the floating multi-turbine structure in 2022.

The Norwegian supply industry is world leading and their efforts to contribute to the development of new technology for floating offshore wind is crucial to reduce costs and make floating offshore wind competitive with other energy sources. While we are still waiting for the starting signal for floating offshore wind in Norway, it is positive that the authorities continue to support important technology development and the development of a competitive supply industry for the offshore wind sector.

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