Norway has officially opened its first-ever floating offshore wind tender, targeting the development of commercial wind projects at the Utsira Nord site, located off the country’s southwest coast.
The tender allows bidders to propose projects of up to 500 megawatts (MW) and offers state subsidies, despite broader industry struggles with rising costs, interest rates, and supply chain delays.
Successful developers will be granted rights to mature their projects over a two-year period, before competing in a 2028–2029 subsidy auction, with grants capped at 35 billion Norwegian crowns ($3.37 billion).
Energy Minister Terje Aasland described Utsira Nord as a pivotal step toward building Norway’s floating offshore wind industry and driving down long-term technology costs.
Floating wind farms, unlike fixed-bottom types, are ideal for deep waters, making them a strategic fit for Norway’s continental shelf geography.
This initiative reflects Norway’s shift toward floating wind following its first fixed-bottom offshore wind licence issued in 2024, with future tenders to focus solely on floating technology.
The plan was approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) in April, ensuring compliance with EU state aid rules, which Norway follows as part of the European Economic Area.
Aasland noted the tender model is tailored to accelerate technological development while encouraging commercial competitiveness in the emerging sector.
Despite global uncertainty in offshore wind markets, Norway’s tender signals a strong commitment to renewable innovation and energy transition leadership.
As a non-EU country with deep offshore experience, Norway is positioning itself as a key player in the next generation of offshore wind power.