Norway has unveiled plans to significantly expand offshore wind power generation by 2040 to turn the oil and gas-rich country into a renewable energy exporter, foreign media reported.
The center-left government, which environmentalists have criticized for supporting the oil and gas industry, has set a goal of developing 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040. “This will nearly double our power output,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Amid strong interest from energy companies, Norway has earmarked two sites in the North Sea to accommodate up to 4.5 GW of floating and seabed wind turbines.
Utilities, oil and gas, and engineering companies lined up to develop offshore energy projects in Norway: Equinor, Shell, British Petroleum, Danish Orsted and Italian Eni. The first tender for 1.5 GW is expected this year.
Norway needs more energy for domestic consumption, but the new plan far exceeds expected demand from households and industry. “A significant portion of the electricity will be exported to other countries,” the government said in a statement, emphasizing the importance of renewable energy.