Working groups

This working group will find solutions for financing of new innovative solutions. The activities will start in 2024.

This working group is dealing with legal framework and contract issues within offshore wind.

Ports are key to offshore wind development and in order to deliver, they must expand and develop their infrastructure. They are central for the successful transport of turbines and equipment, the hub for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms and a magnet for much of the supply chain. Join the Working Group to discuss the next generation of port infrastructure and learn more about planning of ports, operations, lifting solutions, grid connection, cooperation and optimalization. We are mapping the ports and positioning the importance of the ports presenting our capabilities together. The Working Group will organize meetings both online and in person. There will also be Visit NOW trips to relevant markets to learn, share experience and to plan for export activities specifically with ports in UK, Denmark etc.

With so many new developments in floating offshore wind in the coming years, it will be key for the industry to share knowledge and experience across companies. Together we will increase our knowledge of how digitalisation can make a difference in floating wind and strengthen our competence on how simulation tools and the use of digital twins can support design and operation of floating wind farms. Relevant software, tools, concepts and case studies will be presented by key industry players in a webinar series. We are also planning for some work – shops in person on “lowering cost by implementing standards”.

The mandate of the working group is mainly to be a meeting place for exchanging knowledge and experience around the thematic of HSE within Offshore Wind. Topics included in this thematic could be regulatory framework, technical and operational safety standards, emergency preparedness, competence, and education. Members of this working group will be invited to meetings 3 times a year to discuss different topics. We invite external speakers and discuss together to increase knowledge and insight for all the members in this group.

Our marine ecosystems are facing increasing stress due to human activities. Hence, it's imperative that Norway's ambitious goals for offshore wind development are achieved with minimal additional negative environmental impact. We must ensure that the acceleration towards renewable energy doesn't come at the expense of biodiversity. To address this concern, numerous consortia have set targets to ensure their developments have a 'nature-positive' impact. This working group shall commence early in 2024 and will develop a mandate and approach based on input from participants. Expected focus includes nature-inclusive design, environmental effects, co-existence, supply chain sustainability, social acceptance, and more.

France is targeting net-zero by 2050, with 33 % renewable generation by 2030. The larger 20 GW floating projects are not expected before 2030 with 18 GW operational by 2035 and 40 GW by 2050. In the Working Group for France we learn more about activities and opportunities, plan Visit NOW trips and share insight in the French offshore wind market both trough digital meetings and workshops where we all meet in person.

Being the closest neighbor to Norwegian supply chain companies, Sweden is emerging as target for the offshore wind industry in Norway. This working group aims to get contracts going.

The UK is ranked as the world´s most interesting market for floating offshore wind, and hence one of the key markets for the Norwegian industry.

The government's target of 30 GW by 2040 makes Norway one of the most interesting markets for offshore wind. With the next tender coming up in 2025, this working group is focusing on the exciting projects in Norway.

Portugal has set ambitious goals, planning to achieve 10 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, while Spain aims for 1-3 GW by 2030 and an additional 2.4 GW in the Canary Islands by 2040. Portugal boasts exceptional wind conditions and synergies with the Norwegian supply chain, with key ports like Setúbal (Lishnave), Aveiro and Viana well-prepared to serve as offshore wind hubs. Spain's Plan for the Development of Marine Renewable Energies identifies vast offshore wind potential capable of supporting 15 GW.

The country is targeting 12+ GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, which includes 6 GW of floating wind in the form of the first part of the Ulsan GW-scale floating wind cluster in the southeast of the country. South Korea is also planning a 3 GW extension to Ulsan after 2030, bringing the capacity of the Ulsan complex alone to more than 9 GW. In 4C Offshore´s recent analysis, South Korea was ranked as the third most interesting market in the world for floating offshore wind.

The US Department of the Interior recently announced a new goal for U.S. floating wind, which means the US market is projected to deploy 15 GW of installed floating offshore wind capacity by 2035. Industry collaboration is going to be vital to tackle the challenges ahead and make floating wind a commercial reality. Join sessions here, both online and meetings in person, to learn more about the projects being realized and connect with key people in the US market. We will plan Visit NOW trips together to meet relevant stakeholders and businesses in the US market both East Coast and West Coast. We will also in this market have a specific focus on start – ups as well.

Greece emerges as a promising offshore wind market, aiming for 1.9 GW by 2030.

Japan is auctioning 1 GW offshore wind sites yearly with the second round on it way, targeting 30 GW by 2040 and floating offshore wind expected in few years. With its significant and sizeable offshore wind potential, and strong industrial capabilities, Japan can be an offshore wind leader and seize the Asian offshore wind opportunity. In the Working Group for Japan you will learn more about what is happening in Japan and meet up with key stakeholders. We also plan for Visit NOW trips to Japan. The meetings in this group will be a mix of digital sessions and workshops where we meet in person.

Italy aims for 3-5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, with a strong emphasis on floating wind. The regulatory framework follows a "Developer-led" approach, entailing a streamlined process with three permits covering grid connection, maritime area consents, and environmental impact assessment. Remarkably, 100+ projects are requesting grid connection, totalling 100 GW in capacity, with 60+ projects currently undergoing EIA procedures.