”I look forward to receiving input from the sector. We have no time to lose,” says energy minister upon opening the public consultation process for the two offshore wind sites.
Photo: Gorm /Ritzau Scanpix
The Norwegian government plans to launch wide-scale production of offshore wind prior to 2029.
That became apparent on Tuesday, when Oslo presented ambitions for bolstering offshore wind power significantly.
”I look forward to receiving input from the sector. We have no time to lose,” says Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland at the press conference.
The framework features suggestions for prequalification criteria, qualitative parameters as well as a model for allocation, tendering, and subsidizing projects.
The public consultation also covers zoning at designated offshore wind areas Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord, writes Oslo in a press statement.
Allotments within Sørlige Nordsjø II are scheduled to take place during 2023, whereas things could take a little longer for Utsira Nord. The minister hopes to have mills up and running by 2029.
A prequalification round will first be held for players interested in bidding for allocations in Sørlige Nordsjø II’s first phase.
Regarding Utsira Nord, a limit will be set on the maximum number of auction participants.
”We will reserve areas able to host 30GW before 2040, and we’re now presenting allocation framework for Utsira Nord as well as the first sites of Sørlige Nordsjø. Cooperation is key to success, and I hope we will receive a lot of input in the just-launched hearing. This will set the standard for offshore wind in Norway,” Aasland notes in the media release.
The deadline for submitting consultation input is set to Jan. 6, 2023.
This article is provided by our sister media, EnergyWatch.
