In the realm of renewable energy, Norway is making significant strides by harnessing the power of wind. In this article, we provide factual insights into Norway’s three largest wind initiatives. Join us as we break down the key details and implications of these significant projects, shedding light on how Norway is shaping its energy future through wind power.
1) Hordavind Onshore Wind Farm Project in Vestland
Norsk Vind Energi AS is undertaking the ambitious endeavor known as the Hordavind Onshore Wind Farm Project, aiming to develop a wind farm with an impressive capacity of potentially up to 1,500 MW. Situated amidst Stølsheimen and Hordaland, this visionary project is set to extend across the three municipalities Modalen, Masfjorden, and Lindas. The wind farm is slated to comprise a remarkable assembly of as many as 235 wind turbines. The anticipated commencement of construction is scheduled for the year 2023 and the farm is expected to become operational in 2024.
Location: Modalen, Masfjorden and Lindas, Vestland
Developer: Norsk Vind Energi AS
2) Fosen Vind farm in Trøndelag county
This project includes six separate onshore wind farms which can generate a total capacity of 1,057 MW. Construction started in 2016 and was completed in 2020. The joint venture called Fosen Vind is owned by Norwegian energy companies TrønderEnergi and Statkraft, along with a group of investors from Europe known as Nordic Wind Power DA. These wind farms are located in the Fosen peninsula, Hitra, and Snillfjord, which are all part of the Trøndelag county in central Norway. The six wind farms are able to produce 3.6 TWh of clean energy each year. Thus, Fosen Vind provides more wind energy than all of Norway’s other wind farms combined.
Location: Fosen peninsula, Hitra and Snillfjord, in Trøndelag county, Norway
Developer/Owner: Statkraft, Nordic Wind Power DA, TrønderEnergi
3) Hywind Tampern: World’s largest floating wind farm
Norway is home to the world‘s largest floating wind farm. Although capacity-wise not one of the largest compared to standard onshore and offshore wind technologies, this wind farm also deserves to be on this list. Located off the western coast of Norway, the Hywind Tampern farm boasts a capacity of 88 MW, and is designed to generate energy for nearby oil and gas platforms. Equinor, in partnership with oil companies OMV and Vaar Energi, initiated the wind farm, which began generating energy in November 2022 and reached full capacity in August 2023. The energy produced accounts for around 35% of the power required by five offshore oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. By powering these platforms with wind energy, approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions will be reduced annually, equating to 0.4% of Norway’s total carbon dioxide emissions in 2022.
Location: North sea, off the western coast of Norway
Developer: Equinor
Outlook for offshore wind
Norway is a country with a lot of capacity especially for offshore wind. Norway aims to have built 30GW of offshore wind power by 2040, thus doubling the nation’s current power output. According to a report from BCG in August 2023, floating wind in Norway will be competitive by 2040.
Image: Appolinary Kalashnikova via Unsplash (20.08.2023)
