Astrid Bergmål, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, was interviewed by Kjell Eirik Haavold, Head of Legal at the Norwegian Competence Center for Offshore Wind.

The call from leading offshore wind developers was crystal clear.

“We need three things from our government: Predictability, predictability, predictability”, proclaimed Jarle Dyrdal, Head of Offshore Wind at Å Energi.

He took the stage at the Sea Breeze event in Kristiansand Tuesday, on the eve of the North Sea Wind Conference, which opens Wednesday morning.

Dyrdal’s call was echoed by the other offshore wind developers on stage – Ventyr, Equinor and EnBW – and it was heard by Astrid Bergmål, State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.

“We stand by the Norwegian ambition for offshore wind. Yes, it is expensive, but my party is committed. We will continue to develop this industry,” said Bergmål.

Many were surprised when the government paused further announcements of acreage for bottom-fixed wind turbines south of Norway earlier this year. Bergmål reassured those who are concerned that the pause could be indefinite.

“Further development of areas south of Norway is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Again, this government is committed to further develop the Norwegian offshore wind industry,” said Bergmål.

Offshore wind developers on stage during Sea Breeze in Kristiansand Tuesday night. Left-right: Marthe Botteri (moderator), Jarle Dyrdal (Å Energi), Hanne Marit Grønning Strand (EnBW), Hasnaa Alhussein (Ventyr), and Øistein Johannessen (Equinor).