Equinor and EDF-led groups each allocated site in Norway's floating wind tender

Equinor and its local partner Vargronn, and EDF and local partner Deep Wind Offshore, each won a site of around 500MW capacity in the qualitative first phase of Norway’s floating wind tender for the Utsira Nord (North) area.

The consortia can now submit proposals for project-specific environmental impact assessments and apply for licences, the Norwegian government said.

Both can now also compete in a second phase next year for up to NKr35bn ($3.46bn) of state support in the form of an investment grant. If both groups bid, one will receive support based on requiring the least state aid to develop its project. The consensus in the wind sector is that the support offered will only be enough for one site.

“The Ministry of Energy will allocate project areas to both applicants. They will also receive the areas they applied for,” Norwegian energy minister Terje Aasland said at a press conference.

“These projects will contribute to developing floating offshore wind technology and increasing renewable power generation in South-West Norway.”

Equinor: still early phase

“Now we need to work thoroughly on the project in the area we’ve been given, with the hope of securing an investable project,” Rogstad said.

“What we see as a good opportunity is a combination of the experience we bring from both companies.

“For Equinor, that’s the Hywind journey, combined with our understanding of the Norwegian continental shelf and the stakeholder landscape here.”

The Utsira Nord project will be located in Southwestern Norway, close to the Utsira island, 30 km away from the coastal city of Haugesund.

Utsira 'top priority'

“This award marks a major milestone for Deep Wind Offshore. Since our founding in 2021, Utsira Nord has been a top priority,” Deep Wind Offshore CEO Knut Vassbotn said.

“In partnership with EDF power solutions, we aim to demonstrate strong execution capabilities while safeguarding local interests in Norway’s first large-scale floating wind project.”

The qualitative criteria during the first tendering phase included include cost level and maturity, execution capability, sustainability, technology development, and positive ripple effects.

The site allocation allows to start the environmental permitting process and site condition studies before applying for a construction support scheme, EDF said.

The second-round competition for support will be conducted as a sealed-bid auction, where each bidder can submit only one bid. The bidder offering the lowest support per MW wins.

As support is only granted as an investment grant during the development and construction phase, no support will be paid during the operational phase – unlike in the contract-for-difference model used in Sorlige Nordsjo II (Southern North Sea 2) tender last year.

The scheme aims to make large floating offshore wind farms more cost-effective in the future. It also intends to test and verify how multiple technologies and solutions perform together in an integrated system, Enova said.

Interested parties can hand in bids by 12 February 2026 for up to NKr2bn in investment support per project.

Enova said it will select winners based on two weighted criteria. Cost efficiency measured in annual production per krone of support will account for 70%, while a project’s innovation and dissemination potential – its ability to contribute to the transition towards net zero emissions – will account for 30%.

Projects must also consist of roughly one to five turbines, have a full-lifecycle plan, and target start-up within five years.

“When we look at the criteria, it’s clear that Enova is seeking applicants who are serious about offshore wind, have solid financing behind them, and intend to use a small-scale project as a stepping stone to learn and cut cost before going toward something larger,” Norwegian Offshore Wind CEO Arvid Nesse said.

“Either way, this is excellent news and an important opportunity for the offshore wind industry.”