In brief
Enova announced a 3.94 billion NOK ($425 million) award to Fortius Offshore Wind AS and Fram Wind Solutions AS for floating offshore wind projects near Karmøy. The grants will fund the installation of four 18.5‑MW turbines over five years, expected to supply electricity for about 15,000 homes. The decision follows a competitive selection process focused on cost reduction, scalability, and environmental impact, with funding contingent on project implementation.
On Friday, Norway’s state‑owned energy agency Enova announced it would award 3.94 billion NOK – roughly 425 million U.S. dollars – to two firms to build floating offshore wind demonstration projects off Karmøy in southwestern Norway. The grant, split 2.0 billion NOK to Fortius Offshore Wind AS and 1.94 billion NOK to Fram Wind Solutions AS, will fund the installation of four 18.5‑megawatt turbines over the next five years.
The projects will take place at the METCentre’s demonstration site, where the four floating turbines are expected to generate approximately 300 million kilowatt‑hours of electricity each year. That amount would power roughly 15,000 Norwegian households, according to Enova’s press release.
Enova’s decision followed a competitive selection process that assessed a range of criteria, including electricity output relative to funding, the potential for adopting the technology at larger scales, environmental impacts and prospects for future cost reductions. The agency cited the need to cut costs in floating foundations, mooring systems and construction and operating methods as key to making the technology commercially viable.
Enova Chief Executive Evy Glorstad said that commercial viability could accelerate large‑scale renewable energy development, help Norwegian industry, and reduce transport emissions. She added that successful demonstration projects would bolster Norway’s position as a leader in offshore wind technology.
Both companies will install two turbines each over the five‑year period. The turbines will be anchored by mooring lines attached to the sea floor and will rely on floating platforms that remain near the slope of the Karmøy continental shelf. The projects will test the durability of floating foundations in the North Sea’s harsh conditions.
Funding is conditional on the projects being implemented. Enova stated that the grant will be disbursed progressively as milestones are achieved. The agencies have not yet detailed the exact schedule of payments or the specific milestones that must be met.
Experts have expressed optimism that the projects could cut the levelised cost of energy for floating wind from current estimates of around 10 €/MWh to below 7 €/MWh if the technology proves scalable and cost‑effective. However, analysts note that the floating sector still faces challenges in supply chain bottlenecks, fabrication of larger modules and the integration of power into offshore grids.
Environmental assessments for the projects indicate that the floating turbines will have a smaller visual impact compared with fixed‑bottom turbines and will avoid hard foundations that could damage marine habitats. The agencies also emphasized the need for monitoring of marine life, sediment transport and potential interference with maritime navigation.
Norway’s push into floating wind comes amid a broader European push to diversify offshore wind sites beyond the shallow waters that have been dominated by fixed‑bottom turbines. The Baltic Sea, for example, is already home to several 10‑MW floating prototypes, while the UK and Spain are exploring projects in deeper waters.
Critics of the funding claim that floating wind projects still lag in maturity when compared to traditional fixed‑bottom turbines, noting that floating turbines have yet to reach a production volume sufficient to achieve economies of scale. Some argue that the grant may divert resources from more developed technologies that can provide immediate grid support.
However, proponents point to the strategic benefits of floating wind, particularly in regions where shallow water depths or seabed conditions restrict the installation of fixed turbines. They also argue that a successful commercial demonstration could spur domestic manufacturing and position Norway as a key player in Europe’s offshore wind ecosystem.
Enova’s decision also reflects Norway’s broader commitment to achieving net‑zero emissions by mid‑century. The Norwegian government has set an ambitious target to cut national carbon emissions by 55 % by 2030 and to achieve a net‑zero carbon economy by 2050. Floating offshore wind could play a crucial role in meeting these goals, particularly given Norway’s comparatively limited fixed‑bottom offshore wind potential.
The region’s businesses and municipalities will closely watch the progress of the four turbines. Should the demonstration succeed in delivering the projected energy output and cost savings, the data could be leveraged to justify larger scale commercial projects and to attract further investment from European partners.
As of now, no final decision has been made on subsequent phases beyond the demonstration, meaning the project’s longer‑term feasibility still depends on the outcomes that will be measured over the next five years.
Background on Floating Offshore Wind
Floating offshore wind turbines are anchored to the seafloor with mooring lines, allowing them to operate in deeper waters where fixed‑bottom foundations are impractical or too expensive. The technology stems from early experiments in the 1990s, but recent advances in materials science and digital simulation have brought the concept closer to commercial reality.
A key benefit is the ability to access wind resources at greater depths, which are often stronger and more consistent. The high cost of installing foundations, compression, and cabling for deep‑water sites has historically limited the economic viability of offshore wind. By contrast, floating platforms can offer lower foundation costs and simpler installation processes.
Nonetheless, floating turbines face new challenges: designing stable mooring systems, handling dynamic motion of the platform, and integrating power into existing grid infrastructure requires sophisticated engineering and regulation. Such challenges are exactly why Enova’s focus on testing floating foundations, mooring systems, and construction methods is critical.
In Norway, the early focus on fixed‑bottom turbines centered on the Lofoten islands and the western coast. The country’s heterogeneous seabed and mixed geological conditions have left many potential sites unsuitable for fixed turbines. The development of floating wind could unlock vast tracts of offshore territory.
The 425 million‑dollar grants represent a significant investment in a technology still in its early commercial phase. The decision underscores Enova’s willingness to support high‑risk innovation in pursuit of national climate and energy objectives.
