– We are put on as a little brother – E24
The interest groups would like to see Norway participate in the European offshore wind initiative. – Our European neighbors have come much further than us, says CEO Olav Hetland in Vårgrønn.
Last week, leaders from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium met for a summit on offshore wind where they launched a historic initiative in the North Sea. Wind turbines with a capacity of 150 gigawatts must be expanded by 2050.
Norway is not part of this investment. Norway, on the other hand, has its own efforts with ambitions to expand 30 gigawatts by 2040.
– It is positive to see how Europe invests in offshore wind as the large-scale renewable energy source that will cover Europe’s power needs and energy transition, and we would like to see Norway participate in the summit last week, says Hetland.
– That Norway was not illustrated that we are first put as a little brother when it comes to offshore wind, he says.
Our green is the result of the Norwegian acquisition fund Hitecvision and Italian Eni, which in 2020 joined forces on a major industrial investment in the renewable sector. The company builds up with its main base in Stavanger.
– The industry is ready
Hetland points out that Norway has technology environments and a business community that will be part of the investment that is now taking place in Europe.
– Europe will need enormous amounts of renewable energy in the decades to come, and if Norwegian players are to have the opportunity to market share in development, we must move forward in the Norwegian processes, he says.
– If not, we will be blown off the field before the match has started, says Hetland.
Vårgrønn wants Norway to expand 50 gigawatts by 2050, and not least for the government to announce more areas in the North Sea so that the companies can get started with the work.
So far, only 1.5 gigawatts of offshore wind is planned to be announced in Norway, and in total the plan is to light out 4.5 gigawatts in two areas.
By comparison, the UK has issued licenses for around eight gigawatts, Scotland for 25 gigawatts and New York for around six gigawatts.
– The industry is ready so now it is important to get an early announcement for both Utsira North and Southern North Sea II, and increase capacity in the already opened areas.
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Norway will not join the historic offshore wind effort in the North Sea
Wants Norway to follow up the cooperation
The CEO of NHO, Ole Erik Almlid, is satisfied with the Norwegian government’s ambitions for 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2040, but expects concrete measures and objectives soon.
– If this is to be achievable, it is also required that Norway cooperates with the EU and with the North Sea countries, among other things in the development of network infrastructure, he says.
– It is important that we follow up on European cooperation and the initiative that has now been taken by Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark, says Almlid.
He believes European cooperation is the key to achieving climate ambitions while reducing dependence on Russian energy supplies.
A number of countries in Europe have increased their targets for offshore wind:
- Britain now has one Goal at 50 gigawatts
- The Netherlands has a target of 22 gigawatts
- Germany has a target of 30 gigawatts
- Belgium has a target of 8 gigawatts
Ambitions must be followed up
Spokesman Magnus Frantzen Eidsvold in Equinor believes the Norwegian ambitions are uplifting and give an important signal of predictability and long-term perspective.
– Norway has great potential for offshore wind, both in terms of jobs, value creation and power exports. In order for us to get started with large-scale production and unleash the potential that lies there, it is important that the ambitions are followed up with a concrete framework, he says.
Eidsvold believes that there is good progress in the Norwegian offshore wind initiative, and understands that Norway did not join the European initiative.
– As I understand it, this is an initiative from Denmark in the EU. In that sense, it is not so strange that Norway was not tried. At the same time, reference is made to North Sea co-operation, in which Norway is involved, and it is natural that Norway will play a role there in the future.
Equinor aims to install 12 to 16 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030, and to thirds of this in offshore wind.
– How are you doing and what does it take to achieve this goal?
– It is an ambitious goal, but we are comfortable when it comes to progress and have already secured ourselves for thirds of what we need, says Eidsvold.
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