Conferences

The long-awaited roadmap will define when new offshore wind areas are opened, when auctions take place, and how Norway intends to reach its target of 30 GW awarded by 2040. The timeline is seen as a crucial step toward creating predictability for developers and suppliers.

Kristian Johnsen, Project Manager for offshore wind at GCE NODE, says the top priority is volume and momentum.

“We need to award 5 GW by 2030. That level of activity is necessary to keep the supplier industry engaged and to maintain continuity between the first rounds and what comes next,” he says.

Johnsen also points to the areas identified in NVE’s strategic impact assessment as the next logical step for development. “Sørlige Nordsjø B, C, D and an extension of F have the best technical and commercial potential, and they should be built out next,” he explains.

But volume alone is not enough. The industry needs long-term predictability.

“A clear and binding timeline toward 2040 is essential. Companies are ready to invest, but they need to know when auctions will take place and which areas will be opened,” says Johnsen.

Infrastructure is another critical factor. Offshore wind requires large-scale port facilities, assembly sites, and logistics hubs – assets that take years to develop.

“We’re asking for earmarked funding in the 2027 national budget for industrial areas with quay fronts dedicated to offshore wind. If Norway wants to build 30 GW, we need the physical infrastructure in place,” Johnsen says.

“It has been a tremendously important week for the Norwegian and global energy business. Coming together in Stavanger, we have highlighted current and looming challenges and been reminded of the importance of both energy security and the addition of renewable energy sources,” says Knut Mjåland, CEO of GCE NODE.

PHOTO ALBUM: AGDER AT ONS 2026

He hosted the joint Agder Pavilion at ONS – a buzzing stand area where 11 cluster companies showcased their technology and competence for a predominantly Norwegian but still international audience.

“Together with the larger GCE NODE companies, which had their own stands at ONS 2026, we have made our mark. The supplier industry in Agder remains a cutting-edge engineering stronghold for the oil and gas industry and also has the ability to transfer competence and technology to other sectors, such as offshore wind and defense,” says Mjåland.

The Agder Pavilion served as a hub for the region’s industry, offering afternoon networking opportunities daily. GCE NODE also hosted a packed Agder Reception, sponsored by DNB, at the premises of Stavanger Chamber of Commerce.

He travelled to Stavanger this week to meet the Agder companies that were present at ONS – the global energy exhibition and conference.

“Participating at ONS is one of the most important tasks in my job. The companies I met at ONS represent major value creation with thousands of employees in Agder,“ says Thomassen.

He was given direct briefings from industry, academia and research environments.

“They were all clear on what is politically important to work on, and what their industries need. Recurring demands revolved around wealth tax, electricity prices, predictability, and policy tools that actually work,” says Thomassen.

Agder County representative Torunn Høyum-Eriksen also made the trip to Stavanger.

“The most valuable part of visiting ONS was listening to the companies themselves,” she says. “The conversations confirm how important it is that politicians listen to industry and understand the challenges and opportunities they face.”

She left Stavanger with a clear takeaway: predictability and strong framework conditions remain essential. But she also saw a business community ready to push forward. “Agder is well positioned both in today’s energy markets and in developing future green solutions,” says Høyum-Eriksen.

Mayor of Farsund, Ingrid Williamsen, was on her second visit to ONS.

“I was pleased to be part of the event and thrilled to meet so many competent people from our region. It was a very valuable day in Stavanger in support of our industries,” says Williamsen.