Joining forces across the North Sea

Offshore wind in the North Sea is entering a new phase. At the recent North Sea Summit in Hamburg, ten energy ministers signed a strengthened cooperation agreement, committing to the ambition that one third of the planned offshore wind capacity in the North Sea will be realised through cross-border projects. The message is clear: delivering 300 GW of offshore wind by 2050 requires deeper international cooperation.

At the same time, Norwegian Offshore Wind and the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce are now joining forces to establish a dedicated German–Norwegian Offshore Wind Working Group. The new working group builds on the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce’s bilateral offshore wind working group established in 2022, and will serve as a platform for dialogue between industry, policymakers and market actors in both countries. The group brings together a broad range of actors, including companies such as the offshore and subsea supplier industry. Its objectives include identifying concrete business opportunities, addressing regulatory and market barriers, and facilitating stronger supply chain integration in Germany and Norway.

By joining forces, we can involve more actors across the value chain and identify new opportunities for collaboration. This partnership will further strengthen the exchange of knowledge between industry and policy makers in our two countries, and contribute to building a more integrated, resilient and competitive offshore wind ecosystem.

– Michael Kern, CEO, German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce

A Strategic Partnership at the Right Time

Germany and Norway complement each other in offshore wind. Germany is one of the world’s largest offshore wind markets, with more than 9 GW of installed capacity and a clear ambition to reach at least 30 GW in the early 2030s. Project activity remains high, grid infrastructure is scaling rapidly, and the industry is moving toward 15 MW turbines and increasingly large-scale developments. At the same time, Germany is refining its auction design to ensure more predictable investment conditions. The market is mature – but still evolving.

Norway, by contrast, is in an earlier phase. The national ambition to allocate 30 GW of offshore wind areas by 2040 remains firm, but the first large commercial projects are only now taking shape. Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord mark the transition from demonstration to industrial scale. 

Although only a handful of turbines are currently operating in Norwegian waters, Norwegian companies have played a substantial role in building offshore wind farms globally. In 2025, the Norwegian offshore wind industry reached approximately EUR 6 billion in revenue – largely export-driven. So, while the domestic market has developed slowly, Norwegian companies are already strong and competitive players in international offshore wind supply chains.

German project volume combined with Norwegian offshore expertise – in maritime operations, subsea engineering, floating structures and complex project execution – forms a powerful combination.

There has been a period of considerable stop-and-go and delays in offshore wind development. Our members are actively looking for markets with stable framework conditions and predictable policies. In that regard, Germany represents an attractive option for many companies — and we hope Norway will soon do the same. We have only briefly introduced this collaboration in a member newsletter, yet interest is already building. We are confident this initiative will grow into an active and valuable platform for cooperation.

– Arvid Nesse, CEO, Norwegian Offshore Wind

Norway: Floating Wind as a Strategic Opportunity

For German stakeholders, the Norwegian market – even if slower to materialise domestically – is attractive for several reasons. Norway holds particular potential in floating offshore wind. Hywind Tampen has already demonstrated the technology, and Utsira Nord represents the first step toward commercial deployment at scale. In addition, Enova has recently received five applications under its call for small-scale floating wind projects. These projects are expected to generate critical learning in:

• Standardisation of floating solutions
• Reduction of installation costs
• Improved project execution models
• Industrial scaling strategies

Experience gained from smaller projects can accelerate cost reductions and shorten the path toward large-scale commercial floating wind farms.

At the same time, DNV’s analyses show that Norway’s electricity production must increase significantly toward 2040 and beyond 2060 to meet an increasing demand. Wind – both onshore and offshore – appears to be the only scalable solution capable of meeting this demand. Floating offshore wind, in particular, may become essential if Norway is to combine energy security, green industrial development and export growth.

It is within this dynamic – between a large, expanding German market and a technology-driven, emerging Norwegian market – that the new working group will operate.

From Political Ambitions to Industrial Opportunities

The North Sea Summit made one point unmistakably clear: offshore wind in the region is no longer purely a national endeavour. Delivering 100 GW through cross-border cooperation will require:

• Joint grid and hybrid projects
• Coordinated spatial planning
• Regulatory alignment and standardisation
• Integrated offshore energy hubs
• Closer industrial partnerships

For the supply chain, this represents a significant opportunity space.

The new joint working group will serve as a platform for dialogue between industry, policymakers and market actors. It will identify bottlenecks, promote concrete cooperation initiatives and help German and Norwegian companies connect more effectively within a rapidly expanding value chain.

2026: From Ambition to Implementation

After the North Sea Summit, the direction is clear and the ambitions are high. The next step is to translate theseinto projects, investments and operational partnerships. The joint working group between Norwegian Offshore Wind and the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce represents a practical step in that direction. For the offshore wind industry, one conclusion stands out:

The greatest opportunities do not lie within national waters alone – but in the shared waters of the North Sea.