A new report from Menon Economics suggests floating offshore wind could be one of the most important sources of new jobs in Norway
Menon’s report, commissioned by Norsk Industri, the Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster, Innovation Norway, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, GCE Ocean Technology and GCE /Fremtidens Havvind, said floating offshore wind could create more than 52,000 jobs in Norway by 2050. This corresponds to about 25% of total employment in the oil industry in 2019.
Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster manager Arvid Nesse said, “The expertise we have in floating offshore technology due to oil and gas has given Norwegian industry a head start.
“We are already well equipped for floating wind. It’s great this report shows such significant employment potential.”
The report points to rapid growth in the global market for floating offshore wind. Norway has been a pioneer in floating technology, and the report shows floating wind can play a key role in restructuring the Norwegian offshore industry.
Menon looked at floating offshore wind in isolation because Norway has special advantages there, compared to bottom-fixed offshore wind. The survey shows Norwegian players can take a market share of between 5% and 14% of the global floating market. To achieve up to 14% would require a solid home market for offshore wind in Norway.
“The government has set clear ambitions for offshore wind investment in Norway, and the supplier industry is ready to start, but legal and financial clarification is lacking,” said Mr Nesse.
“The pace at which new areas for floating wind are allocated after Utsira Nord must increase, to ensure there is a domestic market in which Norwegian companies can provide services. The report shows several other countries are further ahead with plans for floating wind projects and have clearer goals.”
Mr Nesse also highlighted the importance of collaboration between research organisations and industry. “We are at the forefront of testing and development,” he said. “Through testing turbines at the METCentre we have gained valuable insight and data. Testing is essential to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind,” Mr Nesse concluded.
The Offshore Wind Journal Conference will be held 14 June 2022. Details and tickets can be found here
