“This is the first step towards a national center of competence for offshore wind. It is the beginning of something new and important,” says Tom Fidjeland, CEO of GCE NODE.
Thursday, the Norwegian Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Aasland, commented on the Støre government’s proposed National Budget.
“We have seen a significant tempo shift in Norwegian offshore wind lately. For Norway to succeed, we need strong and competent players. I am impressed by the Agder region’s ability to front new initiatives. Having seen what GCE NODE and the Eyde Cluster have accomplished abroad, we intend to build on this experience when developing Norwegian offshore wind,” says Aasland to the newspaper fvn.no.
The NOK 5 million to Agder come following a coordinated, joint effort from regional players who have come together to make Agder a stronghold for offshore wind. Agder County, the municipalities of Lyngdal, Farsund, Lindesnes and Kristiansand, and the business sector in Agder, are widely regarded as frontrunners in the offshore wind industry.
“We have all worked together. However, I would like to extend a special ‘thank you’ to the Mayor of Kristiansand, Jan Oddvar Skisland, who has gone above and beyond to make this happen. He has had several talks with the Minister and Prime Minister on this subject,” says Fidjeland and Rune Klausen, Project Manager for Fremtidens Havvind, a joint Agder project.
Being the recipient of the 5 million kroner, the University of Agder will be instrumental in building competence on offshore wind in Agder and Norway.
“We look forward to working closely with the University of Agder to build a strong offshore wind industry in Agder and Norway,” says Fidjeland.
In a meeting Friday morning, Skisland, GCE NODE, Fremtidens Havvind, and the University of Agder will begin the process of mapping how to make best use of the funds.
“Agder is the only region to receive funds for offshore wind in the National Budget for 2023. We will make the best possible use of them,” says Klausen.
