Image: Adobe Stock,Marc Dyck.
Norway has injected a breath of fresh air into the renewable energy sector with a substantial $193 million funding commitment to the GoliatVind project. The initiative, set to unfold in the challenging Arctic waters, marks a significant stride in the realm of floating offshore wind farms. The move not only positions Norway as a pioneer in sustainable technology but also underscores its commitment to industry development and combating emissions.
Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland expressed the government’s vision for floating offshore wind to become a cornerstone for the country’s supplier industry. Aasland emphasized the dual impact of this venture, envisioning not only a robust future for the offshore supply sector but also a vital step towards reducing emissions from oil and gas production. The goal is to replace conventional gas turbines with more sustainable power supply options.
Owned collaboratively by shipping company Odfjell Oceanwind, renewables developer Source Galileo, and Japanese utility Kansai Electric Power Company, GoliatVind is poised to connect to an existing power cable, channeling energy from shore to the Goliat oil platform operated by Vaar Energi, an ENI subsidiary.
Gunnar Birkeland, Head of Source Galileo Norge, anticipates that GoliatVind’s turbines, on optimal wind days, could contribute up to 25 MW to shore. Though Birkeland refrained from disclosing the overall cost estimate, he acknowledged the awarded funding as a “significant” milestone for the project’s progression.
The slated operation for GoliatVind is 2028, aligning with Enova’s stringent five-year completion deadline. The success of this endeavor has already paved the way for future opportunities, with Enova confirming another tender round for small-scale floating wind later this year.
This groundbreaking investment follows Equinor’s inauguration of the Hywind Tampen floating wind farm in the North Sea last year. Positioned to power several oil and gas platforms, such initiatives mark a turning tide in the maritime, breakbulk, project freight, cargo, and logistics sectors, propelling Norway into a leadership role in sustainable energy solutions.
Source:Reuters
