Norway plans Q1 2022 auction for Sorlige Nordsjo II, licensing process for floating wind zone

The Norwegian government will take different approaches to the Utsira Nord and Sorlige Nordsjo II areas that it opened for offshore wind last year, minister of petroleum and energy Tina Bru said on Tuesday.

In a speech at the Floating Wind 2021 conference in Haugesund, the minister said that Sorlige Nordsjo II offers an opportunity for the development of bottom-fixed wind projects on a commercial basis, without state aid. The government aims to announce an auction for Sorlige Nordsjo II in the first quarter of 2022. It plans to award two or three project areas there via a two-stage competitive process -- a qualification process and an auction for qualified parties.

Bru said that as many developers are looking into hybrid projects that combine offshore wind farms and interconnectors, the government will need to assess the effects and legal aspects of hybrid schemes ahead of the auction.

The approach will be different for Utsira Nord, which is suitable for floating wind power, which still needs state aid. The government thinks that the best way to develop projects there is through the licensing process, rather than auctions. It is proposing to award at least three areas for up to 500 MW each at Utsira North, Bru said. Acreage will be awarded based on qualitative criteria, with the process targeted to be launched by the end of 2021.

The minister also said that the government will be identifying new areas for offshore wind and will carry out impact assessments. The process is expected to take about two years.

When announcing the opening of the two areas last year, the Norwegian government said they provide the opportunity to develop a combined 4,500 MW of wind power. Utsira Nord spans 1,010 square kilometres and Sorlige Nordsjo II -- 2,591 sq km.

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