Portugal and Norway team up on floating offshore wind

The agreement was signed at a reception this week, during a visit to Portugal organized by Norwegian Offshore Wind (NOW) and The Norwegian Embassy in Portugal.

Forum Oceano and Norwegian Offshore Wind both focus on developing a strong supply chain in floating offshore wind.

"With the fast-emerging offshore wind markets in both Portugal and Norway stronger links between the two countries and a partnership between our two organisations will create great opportunities for the industry," says Arvid Nesse, manager of Norwegian Offshore Wind, representing close to 400 member companies.

Norwegian Offshore Wind has had several activities towards the Portuguese market, such as a research trip in January and several webinars, in addition to receiving representatives from the Portuguese Government and State Secretary during official delegations to Norway. The Portuguese market with a high content of relevant stakeholders was also represented during Floating Wind Days in Haugesund earlier this year. This week 15 prominent offshore wind companies are part of the Visit NOW in Lisbon and Porto.

Deep partnership

Forum Oceano has been a crucial partner in the activities so far, and when the regulatory framework is being implemented, the MOU aims to lay the ground work for new contracts between companies from the two countries.

"Floating offshore wind is an abundant blue renewable energy resource in Portugal, with a high potential of monetization already in the present decade, and also of regenerative impact for marine ecosystems," states Ruben Eiras, Secretary-General of Forum Oceano.

"-Forging a deep partnership with Norwegian companies is the way to go for accelerating this ocean industry in Portugal. It will establish solid business foundations for a resilient industry value chain between the two ocean countries. In fact, efficient floating offshore wind will not only substitute fossil fuels imports for Portugal and the EU, augmenting its sustainable energy security, but will also generate a competitive tech-export driven industry for both Norway and Portugal," specifies Ruben Eiras.

Portugal has big ambitions in offshore wind, especially floating. The government has set a target of 10 GW of installed offshore wind by 2030, to be allocated via competitive auctions from Q4 2023. A total of 20 x 500 MW lots have been suggested, with the first auction to include seven sites from the northernmost three areas. Approval of these proposals, within the Plan for Allocation of Maritime Areas for Exploitation of Renewable Energies (PAER) is scheduled for Q4.

"The MoU will strengthen NOWs presence in Portugal and enable opportunities for the Norwegian supply chain in one of the most attractive floating offshore wind markets in Europe right now. This MoU adds to the one NOW signed earlier this year with Wavec," says Einar Tollaksvik, who is heading up the industry-led working group for Portugal in Norwegian Offshore Wind.