Spain and Norway team up on offshore wind

The agreement was signed at WindEurope Annual Event 2024 in Bilbao this week.

Basque Energy Cluster and Norwegian Offshore Wind both focus on developing world leading supply chains in offshore wind. These two offshore wind nations have different strengths that will create valuable synergies. 

-With the fast-emerging offshore wind markets in both Spain and Norway, 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 in the Spanish market in general and Basque country in particular. NOW is organising a seminar together with Baque Energy Cluster at WindEurope Annual Event 2024. Moreover, NOW has arranged a supply chain day in Bilbao in 2022 and has built a collaborative relationship with BIMEP – the offshore wind test site. The Spanish market, with a high content of relevant stakeholders, was also represented during Floating Wind Days in Haugesund in 2023 and is expected to attend in 2024.

Basque Energy Cluster is located in one of Europe’s epicentres for offshore wind. They have an advanced and established supply chain in offshore wind, and has been and will be a crucial partner in NOW activities in the Spanish market and beyond. The MOU aims to lay the groundwork for new contracts between companies from the two countries in the future. 

-Partnering with Norwegian entities and stakeholders in the offshore wind sector is one of the strategic priorities of the Basque Energy Cluster. The leadership and technological capabilities of Norwegian companies, especially regarding floating solutions, qualify them as powerful and reliable partners. For this reason, we expect that the agreement with Norwegian Offshore Wind will facilitate fruitful collaborations between companies from Norway and the Basque Country, says José I. Hormaeche, Managing Director of the Basque Energy Cluster,

Spain has impressive ambitions for developing offshore wind, especially floating. The government has set a target of 3 GW of installed offshore wind by 2030. The Marine Spatial Plans (POEMS) have outlined 5 000 km2 suitable for offshore wind. Several of the areas in the POEM are located outside the coast of Northern Spain. The regulatory framework for offshore wind in Spain is expected to be announced in 2024. 

-The MoU will strengthen NOWs presence in Northern Spain, and this collaboration will foster opportunities for the Norwegian supply chain in one of the most attractive floating offshore wind markets in Europe right now. The cooperation with the Basques could also open doors in other offshore wind markets in Europe, says Einar Tollaksvik, who is heading up the industry-led working group for Spain in Norwegian Offshore Wind.