EIA approval for what could be Norway’s first floating wind project

In line with an exemption provision in the Offshore Energy Act, GoliatVIND now plans to submit a licence application to build the windfarm. If the licence is granted, the project will be the world’s first of its type with floating wind turbines of in excess of 15 MW.

GoliatVIND chair Gunar Birkeland said, “We are very pleased with approval of the environmental impact assessment. To meet Enova’s deadline and to be competitive globally, we are dependent on a licence being granted in 2025.

“In light of the postponement of Utsira Nord, and the fact that other countries also have upcoming projects in the near future, GoliatVIND is a key project to secure Norway’s position in floating offshore wind.”

GoliatVIND plans to build the floating offshore windfarm offshore Hammerfest in Norway. The 75-MW demonstration plant will have five 15-MW wind turbines installed on Odfjell Oceanwind’s Deepsea Star semi-submersible floating foundation. The windfarm is due be built in 2028/2029, ahead of larger floating offshore wind developments in Norway.

“As a demonstration plant, GoliatVIND will help establish Norwegian supply chain capacity and reduce the technical risk of floating offshore wind in Norway. This will result in reduced risks and lower costs for the development of floating offshore wind projects, including projects in the Utsira Nord and Vestavind B,” areas, said Mr Birkeland.

GoliatVIND is backed by Odfjell Oceanwind, Source Galileo, Kansai Electric Power and ENEOS Renewable Energy.