Norway’s inaugural tender for floating offshore wind projects has attracted two bids, marking a milestone in the nation’s renewable energy ambitions. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Energy on Monday.
The tender, launched in May 2025, invited companies and consortiums to compete for the right to develop projects of up to 500 megawatts at Utsira Nord, located off Norway’s southwest coast. This site has been identified as one of the most promising areas for floating wind development.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland emphasized that offshore wind is a government priority, aimed at securing stable electricity supplies for the years ahead. The initiative forms part of Norway’s broader strategy to expand renewable energy capacity.
The bids came from two separate consortiums. One group is led by Equinor, partnering with Eni’s subsidiary Vårgrønn, while the second consists of Deep Wind Offshore Norway AS and EDF Renouvelables International.
Authorities plan to evaluate the applications thoroughly, with a winner expected to be announced in the first half of 2026. The chosen developers will then have two years to refine and mature their proposals.
The final subsidy auction, offering direct government grants, is scheduled for 2028–2029. Only one bidder will ultimately receive this financial support to advance the project into full-scale construction.
The tender represents Norway’s first commercial step into floating offshore wind, setting the stage for the country to strengthen its role in Europe’s renewable energy transition.