“Agder holds world class composite expertise, and 3B Fibreglass already supplies fiber glass to 25 per cent of the global wind market. The real question is whether those strengths, combined with current and future market conditions, are enough to build a full turbine blade industry here. We are determined to find a clear answer,” says Project Manager Kristian Johnsen.
He heads a pre project that will examine the feasibility of establishing full scale production of wind turbine blades in the region. The project runs from June 2026 to April 2027 and has a budget of NOK 1.6 million, half of which is funded by Agder County.
The effort comes as offshore wind development in the North Sea accelerates dramatically. International targets under the Global Offshore Wind Alliance aim for 2,000 GW by 2050, while Norway plans to allocate 30 GW by 2040. As turbine sizes increase toward 25 MW and beyond, blade production capacity in Europe is becoming a bottleneck.
Agder believes it may have the right ingredients to help relieve that pressure. The region already hosts companies with advanced competence in composites, hydraulics, pneumatics, and glass fiber production.
“We also have a history of blade production, with Umoe Mandal manufacturing blades for a period,” says Johnsen.
Led by GCE NODE in collaboration with industry partners, Agder County, municipalities and the University of Agder, the project will analyze market needs, identify suitable industrial sites with access to renewable power and deep water ports, map the regional value chain and establish a cross sector consortium.
If the findings are positive, Agder could move toward a full scale blade factory capable of creating hundreds of jobs, strengthening regional diversification and contributing to Europe’s wind power supply chain resilience.
The initiative aligns with Regionplan Agder 2030 and supports the region’s ambitions for sustainable growth and green industrial development.
