Georgine Wind AS, a Norwegian entity that is part of GE Vernova, has secured permission to build an 18-MW offshore wind turbine in an industrial area in Gulen municipality
The Norwegian turbine will be used to test technology used in the 18-MW unit, which will be among the largest of its type developed by Western manufacturers.
Several Chinese manufacturers are already developing offshore wind turbines that are larger than the unit GE Vernova plans to test in Norway. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is advancing plans to test a 21-MW offshore wind turbine at the Østerild wind turbine test centre in Denmark.
NVE section manager Ann Myhrer Østenby said, “This will be the largest wind turbine to be licensed in Norway. It is also the first wind power plant to be licensed in an industrial area. Testing and operating the wind turbine will provide more knowledge about offshore wind turbines.”
The NVE has granted permission to build and operate a wind turbine with a rotor diameter of up to 275 m and maximum height of 275 m. It will be erected in an industrial area in Sløvåg. Gulen Municipality has expressed its support for the facility.
To counteract potential negative impacts on the environment and neighbours, the concessionaire will be required to implement mitigation measures. “We have demanded that Georgine Wind must carry out noise measurements and follow-up investigations for, among other things, birds and bats. If the impacts are greater than expected, measures must be implemented to reduce the inconvenience to nature and neighbours,” said Mr Østenby.
Before the construction process begins, Georgine Wind will also prepare a detailed plan and a detailed description of how the facility will be built and operated. NVE will monitor the work closely and inspect it during construction and afterwards.
