Two industry groupings – one formed by Equinor and Vargronn, the other by Deep Wind Offshore and EDF Power Solutions – have each been granted a project area in Norway’s 1,500 MW Utsira Nord floating wind round.
Norway’s Ministry of Energy said it had reviewed both bids for floating offshore wind development at Utsira Nord and decided to allocate a dedicated zone to each partnership.
Energy Minister Terje Aasland said he welcomed the decision to move ahead with area awards at Utsira Nord, adding that the planned schemes are expected to support further development of floating offshore wind technology and raise renewable power output in south-western Norway.
The Ministry received the two applications ahead of the 15 September 2025 deadline. Both groups fulfilled the qualification conditions and, according to the Ministry, delivered solid responses on the qualitative criteria.
With areas now assigned, the companies can draw up project-specific programmes for environmental and impact assessment, carry out the required studies and then seek project licences. Developers will have up to two years from approval of the assessment programme to file their licence applications.
Firms that apply for licences will also be able to take part in a state-aid tender. If both consortia request support, funding will go to the project that can be built with the lowest need for public aid. Under the scheme, state support is capped at NOK 35 billion.
