Vårgrønn (a renewable energy company set up by Norwegian energy entrepreneur and investor HitecVision and Italy’s energy major Eni) and Equinor have applied to the Norwegian government to build a floating offshore wind farm in Utsira Nord, a region that lies in the Norwegian North Sea
View from Equinor’s floating wind farm Hywind Scotland, Credit: Øyvind Gravås/Woldcam for Equinor
Equinor has agreed to collaborate with Vårgrønn (a renewable energy company set up by Norwegian energy entrepreneur and investor HitecVision and Italy’s energy major Eni) to construct a floating offshore wind farm at Utsira Nord in the North Sea. The country’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has recently invited applications from renewable energy producers to set up offshore wind farms in Utsira Nord and Sørlige Nordsjø II, areas off the coast of the Norwegian North Sea. The authorities have begun to receive applications and are finalising the licensing process.
The two companies have agreed to jointly prepare and submit an application to the Norwegian authorities. Pål Eitrheim, Executive Vice President of New Energy Solutions at Equinor, said: “The North Sea has some of the world’s best wind resources. A floating offshore wind farm at Utsira Nord could be the next project at scale to drive industrialization of floating offshore wind and create new opportunities for Norwegian industry. Together with Vårgrønn, we are eager to contribute to a new chapter in Norway’s energy legacy and position floating offshore wind as a new industry contributing to the energy transition.”
Olav Hetland, CEO of Vårgrønn said: “We are excited to enter into a partnership with Equinor on floating offshore wind, contributing to the continued development of Norway as a leading energy nation. Developing a home market for offshore wind power, particularly floating, will be important for developing the Norwegian offshore wind supply industry, and positioning new technologies for a growing global market. Vårgrønn and its owners have the competence and a strong commitment to help further develop a new industry within the renewable energy sector on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.”
Equinor and Eni are already collaborators on a different wind project in the North Sea. Known as the Dogger Bank wind farm, it will be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm once it begins operations. Vårgrønn has declared its commitment to own and operate up to 1GW of installed wind energy capacity by the end of this decade.
