Conferences

GCE NODE Technology Council will be launched in 2026 to accelerate the development and deployment of new technology. It brings together industry players, investors, and business developers twice a year and serves as a place where technology developers can present products and ideas for established companies and investors. 

“The Technology Council will improve relations throughout the value chain, while promoting innovation and reducing time-to-market for new technology. Details will be presented in the invitation to the inaugural session,” says Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE. 

Offshore wind and port development represent one of the most significant industrial opportunities for the region, with an estimated NOK 8 billion in potential investments and ripple effects. GCE NODE will continue to highlight the importance of port infrastructure and regional readiness. The goal is to ensure that the region is well positioned to capture value creation, jobs, and long-term industrial growth as offshore wind moves from planning to largescale deployment. 

The creation of a Supplier Network for Sørlige Nordsjø II aims to ensure that Norwegian companies are fully prepared to deliver into Norway’s first largescale offshore wind development. The initiative strengthens collaboration between developers, operators, and the supplier industry, helping local, regional, and national companies understand requirements, build competence, and position themselves for contract opportunities.  

GCE NODE will continue the Agder H2 Network in 2026 to maintain momentum in the regional hydrogen ecosystem while preparing a new European Hydrogen Valley application. 

Fremtidens Forsvarsindustri Sør (Future Defence Industry South) is an initiative designed to ensure that the Agder industry captures some of the NOK 1,620 billion defense investments outlined in Norway’s long-term defense plan, as well as in the broader European defense market. The project connects defense actors with regional suppliers, builds competence on procurement processes, and identifies areas where local industry can contribute with technology, manufacturing, and innovation. 

The FPSO Forum brings together companies and experts working with FPSO technology to share knowledge, address common challenges, and strengthen regional competence. Its purpose is to promote collaboration, drive innovation, and ensure that Agder remains competitive in the global FPSO industry. 

A new P&A Forum gathers companies and specialists working with plug and abandonment to share experience, discuss regulatory and operational challenges, and strengthen regional expertise in well decommissioning. The forum’s purpose is to promote collaboration, and to drive safer and more efficient P&A solutions. 

A Forum for Applied AI will address how companies can adopt and operationalize artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, strengthen competitiveness, and accelerate innovation. The forum will be comprised of industry players, researchers, and technology specialists to share practical use cases, discuss challenges related to data, implementation, and regulation, and build regional competence in applied AI. 

GCE NODE will continue its structured dialogue with policymakers to secure attractive framework conditions that shape the future of the energy and technology industries in Agder. Regular meetings, coordinated input, and clear communication of industry needs help ensure that national and regional policies support competitiveness, innovation, and long-term industrial development. This work remains essential as the energy transition accelerates. 

A leadership program tailored for NODE companies is launched by GCE NODE and Bjørnson Organisasjonspsykologene. The program strengthens leaders’ ability to navigate transformation, build strong cultures, and collaborate across value chains. Through a mix of sessions, digital modules, casework, and coaching, participants gain strategic insight and stronger personal leadership. 

“If we want new products, new jobs, and real innovation across industries, we must start with competence. Everything we build depends on it: workplaces, competitiveness, and the ability to transform. In the end, it all comes down to competence and our ability to innovate and create new and attractive products and services, says Mjåland.

Established in 2005 under the name Norwegian Offshore Drilling Engineering, NODE organized the supplier industry in Agder, which was a highly competent and growing value chain for offshore drilling equipment. At its peak in 2014, the cluster companies employed close to 10,000 people. A ripple effects analysis concluded that NODE companies created 15,000 jobs in Norway and 30,000 jobs internationally.

“Organizing the industry which has had the most impact on our region, comes with a great responsibility. NODE has played an important role in bringing major and minor companies together. By fostering innovation and cooperation within the cluster, NODE has contributed to increased innovation, competitiveness, and value creation,” says Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.

A LEADING NORWEGIAN CLUSTER
Entering the Norwegian Cluster Program at the Arena level in 2006, NODE was quickly promoted to a National Center of Expertise in 2009, before achieving the highest level – Global Center of Expertise – in 2014. At that point, NODE comprised the three leading offshore drilling majors in Kristiansand, which combined had approximately 80 per cent of the global market.

The GCE period, which is now coming to an end, saw strong national funding for research, development and innovation, and business development of the cluster participants.

NODE ART
One of the first milestones in the cluster’s innovation history was the NODE ART project, which came about before the GCE period. Designed to solve the industry problem of corrosion on offshore installations, NODE ART was a huge success, and an example of how fierce competitors can come together to solve common problems for the benefit of all.

SFI OFFSHORE MECHATRONICS
Earning the GCE status in 2014 was an achievement in itself but it also attracted more interest in NODE and funding for new cluster projects. In 2015, GCE NODE was part of a University of Agder led consortium that was awarded a Center for Research-driven Innovation in Offshore Mechatronics. This eight year program developed offshore drilling systems through autonomous operations and condition monitoring. GCE NODE managed Work Package 7: Technology Vision, creating an arena for exploring future trends and strategic adjustments. The center united industry giants, producing research that shaped offshore automation.

MIL: A PLAYGROUND FOR INNOVATION
Also in 2015, GCE NODE was instrumental in securing industry support and public funding for Mechatronics Innovation Lab (MIL) in Grimstad. Bridging research and industry, this state of the art facility opened in 2017 and quickly became a testbed for robotics, automation, and other technologies. It empowered companies to prototype, test, and validate solutions before deployment, accelerating innovation and reducing risk and time-to-market.

As a result of the downturn in the oil and gas industry and the emerging focus on renewable energy in the ocean space, GCE NODE and its cluster companies found increasing interest for offshore wind.

“The mandate and strategy of GCE NODE shifted to include new ocean technologies, acknowledging that the ocean space is our natural arena,” explains Mjåland.

NATIONAL COMPETENCE CENTER FOR OFFSHORE WIND
GCE NODE became a strong advocate for the creation of the National Competence Center for Offshore Wind, which was established in 2023. Positioning Southern Norway as a hub for offshore wind expertise, the center fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government, ensuring Norway remains competitive in the global energy transition.

Spanning 20 years, GCE NODE’s history is one of innovation and collaboration to the benefit of companies and the region in which they operate.

“As we enter 2026, GCE NODE turns the page to write a new chapter. The central narrative remains unchanged: World-leading companies with world-leading competence and technology, driven by a desire to innovate and operate on the global stage,” says Mjåland.

«Gas Meets Wind» is an annual gathering for the two growing renewable sectors, in which GCE NODE is deeply involved through the projects Fremtidens Havvind (offshore wind) and Agder H2 Network (hydrogen).

Agder County Mayor Arne Thomassen praised the efforts of GCE NODE and the participating companies, underlining the commitment from the governmental level as the region is positioning itself for further growth.

Agder has proximity to the first Norwegian large-scale offshore wind farm, Sørlige Nordsjø II. Agder is also where a hydrogen production facility is currently under construction, and home of regional utility Å Energi, which is building a hydrogen production plant at Pikerfoss.

“This makes Agder a front-runner within offshore wind and hydrogen. We are excited to witness the progress and happy to support the industries by bringing all good forces together,” says Kristian Johnsen, Project Manager for Fremtidens Havvind and Agder H2 Network.

“Gas Meets Wind” included presentations and talks from Greenstat, National Competence Center for Offshore Wind, Norsk Vind, LO Agder, NHO Agder, HMH and County Mayor Arne Thomassen.