Norwegian Ministry of Energy Allocates Project Areas for Floating Offshore Wind in Utsira Nord
Following a comprehensive evaluation process, two consortiums—Equinor Utsira Nord AS and Vårgrønn Utsira Nord AS, and Harald Hårfagre AS—will each be awarded their respective project areas, marking a major milestone for the development of floating offshore wind in Norway.
The allocation follows the Ministry’s assessment of applications received by the 15 September deadline. Both consortia met all qualification requirements and submitted proposals that satisfied the Ministry’s qualitative criteria. Equinor and Vårgrønn have been awarded project area 2, whereas Harald Hårfagre AS (Deep Wind Offshore Norway AS and EDF Renouvelables International Sas) have been awarded project area 3. Both consortia applied primarily for their respectively awarded areas.
The award decision enables each group to move forward with submitting their project-specific environmental impact assessment programs. This will be followed by a full environmental impact assessment and a formal application for a development license. Securing a license is a prerequisite for entering the upcoming competition for state financial support.
State support will be allocated based on a competitive process, should both consortia submit license applications. The ministry has set a maximum support limit of NOK 35 billion (2025 value). The winner will be determined on the basis of requiring the lowest level of public support to realize their project.