Post: Build offshore wind without cables to Norway
The EU has launched the world’s most ambitious project to become independent of fossil fuels, the Green Shift. Norway has joined this project.
The Ukraine crisis has made it clear that the EU’s dependence on gas from Russia is a serious problem. This is especially true for Germany, where many reassessments are now being made in established policies. This can also lead to the postponement of the shutdown of the remaining nuclear power reactors. Although it turns out that Russia continues its gas deliveries to EU countries, the previous profile that one can trust Russia as a gas supplier has possibly fundamentally changed.
Norway is the EEA area’s largest net exporter of energy and energy-derived products. The green shift will require major expansions of solar and wind power. No country in the EEA area has greater wind resources than Norway, with its continental shelf that is six times larger than the land area. If we want, Norway can contribute to the EU’s reorientation towards the green shift in a way that pays off.
The government has just presented plans for offshore wind power development. Concretization is positive. But in light of Europe’s need to quickly change its energy supply, and Norway’s great potential as an energy exporter, the plans should be changed and increased significantly:
- In the Southern North Sea, it should be expanded as soon as possible from double the government’s proposal, ie three gigawatts (GW). All this power production should go to the continent. So no power cable to Norway. This will be the fastest way for Norway to contribute to the green shift in the EU. In addition, this will make the development profitable, in contrast to what it will be with the government’s proposal.
- In parallel with the development of floating offshore wind at Utsira, further development of the Southern North Sea should be prepared. There should be more and much larger developments here, which should also be built only with power cables to the continent. This will strengthen Norway’s contribution to European independence from fossil fuels.
- In parallel with studies that the government has initiated for mapping future power needs and power cable networks in the sea, many field developments of floating installations at sea should be prepared. Together with environmental assessments and delimitations in relation to fishing interests, the studies will affect the order and scope of developments in individual areas. But we must not waste time. If we are to reduce the costs of floating offshore wind, the most effective method is to open up many areas for development, so as to ensure both strong competition between the developers and a high degree of learning. Once the basic technology is in place, it is learning that brings costs down. For the Norwegian oil service business and its early conversion to offshore wind, this is exactly what is needed.
- It is also particularly important to develop offshore wind in the vicinity of oil and gas platforms, so that the power supply to the platforms that should receive this from outside can come from offshore wind, instead of from land. According to NVE, this measure will be able to release as much electricity for the markets in Norway as the government’s proposed first development stage in the South North Sea will contribute.
All these measures will at the same time build a good supplier position to our important customers in Europe. This is therefore desirable and commercial, long-term customer care.
Given the clear political connections associated with the transition to the green shift, these measures in the electricity area can also lead to Norwegian gas deliveries to Europe being the last to be completed!
Ordinary Norwegian electricity consumption is very high, due to many years of abundant power supply and low prices. There are great savings opportunities here. NVE calculated the savings possibilities at 13 TWh. Realization of such savings will improve the Norwegian power balance within a few years, and faster than any development of new electric power. Bodø municipality can show the way here through its work to reduce electricity consumption in municipal buildings. This must therefore be goal number one.
The combined effect of all these measures will faster than current plans ensure a good electricity supply, and ensure the green shift in Norway.
At the same time, Norway’s important role as an energy supplier to Europe is strengthened, and our direct contribution to the EU’s green shift becomes very clear.
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