GCE NODE is building a national supplier network to secure Norwegian content in the Sørlige Nordsjø II offshore wind farm.

“We are here to assist Norwegian companies succeed with their bids to participate in this first major offshore wind project on the Norwegian Continental Shelf,” says Kristian Johnsen. He is the Project Manager of Fremtidens Havvind – a regional collaboration project for offshore wind in Agder.

Awarded the contract to develop Sørlige Nordsjø II in 2024, Ventyr is now doing the necessary groundwork in preparation for building the wind farm.

“Our goal is to mobilize Norwegian companies, coordinate suppliers across the country, and make it easier for Ventyr to choose Norwegian partners for the large‑scale investments ahead,” says Johnsen.

A national supplier network pre-project is partly funded by Agder County and will be initiated in the first quarter of 2026. Pending development in the pre-project, a full-scale project could be established later in 2026.

“With SNII representing one of Norway’s largest industrial opportunities in decades, the project aims to ensure that Agder and Norway are ready to take a leading role,” says Johnsen.

GCE NODE’s annual meeting with mayors and business managers from Agder County and Agder municipalities was held in Arendal Friday morning.

During the meeting, Knut Mjåland – CEO of GCE NODE – gave a presentation of the cluster and its ongoing projects. Among them is Fremtidens Havvind, a regional collaboration project to advance the offshore wind industry in the region.

Project Manager Kristian Johnsen gave a special presentation of the Fremtidens Havvind, which is currently advocating the establishment of port facilities in Agder to support Sørlige Nordsjø II – Norway’s largest offshore wind project so far.

“We appreciate the great work you do, and also how you serve as ambassadors for our region,” said Mathias Bernander, Mayor of Kristiansand at the conclusion of the meeting.

Torunn Høyum-Eriksen, Chair of the Committee on Business, Climate and Environment in Agder County, added: “I am always happy to receive industry updates from GCE NODE. You provide important information that we need to know and act on.”

Left-right: Torunn Høyum-Eriksen (Chair of the Committee on Business, Climate and Environment in Agder County), Wenche Fresvik (Agder County), Liv Øyulvstad (Business Manager at Kvinesdal Municipality), and Marianne Landås (Mayor of Tvedestrand).
Liv Øyulvstad (left – Business Manager at Kvinesdal Municipality), and Marianne Landås (Mayor of Tvedestrand).
Einar Holmer-Hoven (left – Mayor of Lillesand) and Mathias Bernander (Mayor of Kristiansand).
Left-right: Ole Andreas Sandberg (Business Developer, Arendal), Anne Torunn Hvideberg (Business Manager, Tvedestrand), Bernt Jørgen Stray (Business Manager, Kristiansand), and Dag Eikeland (Acting Mayor of Risør).

Establishing a Norwegian port dedicated to offshore wind is essential for securing a bigger piece of the growing offshore wind market.

“It is our highest priority for 2026,” says Kristian Johnsen, Project Manager of Fremtidens Havvind – adding: “It should also be Norway’s highest priority. Without a Norwegian offshore wind port, much of the value creation will go elsewhere.”

Denmark and the UK already operate ports capable of handling large-scale assembly and logistics. Without a Norwegian alternative, a large share of the value creation from offshore wind projects, including those on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, will be captured abroad.

“If Norway instead invests in one or more ports tailored for offshore wind, we can position ourselves as a competitive hub for the entire North Sea basin,” says Johnsen.

The Agder region stands out with its strategic location and short sailing distances to major offshore wind areas. This proximity allows Norway to compete for international assignments.

“We have a superb geographical position,” says Johnsen.

2026 is emerging as a decisive year for Norwegian offshore wind. The most important developments will not take place offshore, but on land – in ports.

“Establishing marshalling and storage capacity will determine whether Norway becomes a key industrial player or remains dependent on foreign infrastructure. Windport in Mandal and Hausvik in Lyngdal are the Agder alternatives, and Agder County has already allocated funding to further develop both,” says Johnsen.

The economic rationale is compelling. Norway has awarded the Sørlige Nordsjø II project a contract of difference, capped at NOK 23 billion. Investing in port facilities could ensure that NOK 8 billion remain in Norway, according to a PwC ripple effect analysis.

National authorities are beginning to recognize this. When Siva – the state-owned enterprise that works to strengthen industrial development and innovation, recently published its newest assignment letter, it included a dedicated point on offshore wind ports. In this, the government explicitly instructs Siva to the development of marshalling and installation ports.

“This marks a significant political shift and signals that port development is now seen as a national priority, which is something we have pushed for,” says Johnsen.