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.
