“This is twice the amount we received for the same purpose this year. By doubling down on the National Competence Center for Offshore Wind in Kristiansand, the government sends a strong signal. The build-up of offshore wind competence in Kristiansand is valued and important for the success of the emerging offshore wind industry in Norway,” says Tom Fidjeland, CEO of GCE NODE.
The Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland, made the announcement Tuesday morning.
“The whole region of Agder works in compliance with the national offshore wind strategy. There is a tremendous spirit of cooperation and a joint ambition to succeed. Agder has an excellent opportunity to position itself within the offshore wind industry,” says Aasland to national broadcaster NRK.
The announcement came only 24 hours after Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre travelled to Stavanger to present new names for the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and the Petroleum Safety Authority – names that better reflect the responsibilities already given to the two entities. The rebranding was, by some, perceived as a win for Stavanger and a loss for offshore wind competence in Kristiansand.
This is refuted by Minister Aasland.
“Agder did not lose anything the other day. Building an administration in Stavanger that responds to the opportunities in Agder is a win-win situation,” says Aasland.
“WE HAVE WORKED HARD FOR THIS”
Mayor of Kristiansand, Jan Oddvar Skisland, is pleased by the financial support for the competence center in Kristiansand.
“This reaffirms our government’s support for competence building in our region. We have worked hard to achieve this,” says Skisland.
Rune Klausen, Project Manager at Fremtidens Havvind, is also very pleased by the announcement.
“This allows us to accelerate the build-up of the National Competence Center for Offshore Wind in Kristiansand. We are in the process of announcing the first positions. We expect to have a staff of ten people within a year,” says Klausen.
