Offshore wind in Europe

As a coastal nation, Norway is focusing on exporting offshore wind technology to other coastal nations in Europe. The programme is part of our major export initiatives, High Potential Opportunities (HPO), which aim to position Norwegian companies as preferred partners and suppliers for specific projects.
Havvindpark i Nordsjøen
© Foto: Getty Images
Type of service
Export programme
Target audience
Companies with solutions for offshore wind
Application deadline
Ongoing
Scope
6 years
Time period
2020-2026

Norwegian companies have the opportunity to win major contracts as 23 new offshore wind farms are set to be built in Europe, with construction starting over the next few years. For example, you can bid for licences offered by the French authorities or position your company as a supplier to the selected developer.

A number of Norwegian companies and organisations have expressed an interest in taking part in Europe's offshore wind initiative. Some specialise in supplying critical components such as subsea cables, innovative floating solutions or foundations. Others contribute expertise in areas including planning and engineering, installation, support, maintenance and inspection. Norwegian shipyards also play a key role in building specialised vessels for the installation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

The programme aims to position Norwegian developers and suppliers in the offshore wind markets in France, Portugal/Spain, Germany, the UK, Poland and Denmark. If your company is interested, get in touch to learn more about opportunities to take part in this HPO programme.

Our European offices have worked on offshore wind projects with energy company Equinor and technology companies Origo Solutions, Geoprovider and OSC, among others. Several Norwegian companies we have supported through the HPO project have secured contracts in the European offshore wind market, while many more are well positioned for future contract opportunities. 

Our HPO programmes bring together Norway's entire business support system and other Team Norway members. Norwegian companies receive support from our regional and international offices, embassies, Eksfin, NORWEP, chambers of commerce, relevant clusters and other partners as needed.

Team Norway provides a tailored package of services based on market opportunities and business needs. Activities range from political dialogue, funding, networking and marketing to individual advisory for companies in the markets. Contributors to the offshore wind project in Europe include:

  • The Norwegian embassies in relevant markets
  • NORWEP in Norway and local market advisers
  • Eksfin in relevant markets
  • Norwegian clusters focusing on offshore wind
  • Chambers of commerce in relevant markets
  • Our offices in European countries
  • Our regional offices in Norway, including funding advisers and the EU team

European countries have set ambitious renewable energy targets, with offshore wind playing a key role in their plans. France, for example, aims to install 40 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050 and completed construction of its first offshore wind farm in Saint-Nazaire in 2022. Significant development is therefore planned in the coming years, with six commercial fixed-bottom offshore wind farms and three floating offshore wind pilot projects already under construction. From 2025, the French authorities will award licences for a total of 2 GW per year across fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind.

Norway's experience in the petroleum sector gives us a clear advantage in developing offshore wind. We were early adopters of new technology and are well positioned to secure contracts in international tenders.

Norway's offshore wind sector has the potential to increase GDP by NOK 24 billion and create 36,000 new jobs by 2030, according to McKinsey’s latest report. Growth is expected to come mainly from offshore wind initiatives in the North Sea, while participation in the wider European and global offshore wind market could also create significant economic opportunities for Norwegian developers and suppliers.

Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) estimates that Europe's offshore wind industry will achieve double-digit growth towards 2030, with the market expanding significantly in 2026. To benefit from this growth, Norwegian companies need to step up their involvement and work together to secure key contracts for offshore wind projects in Europe. The analysis firm Menon believes that, with the right investments and initiatives, Norway could capture up to 20 per cent of the global floating offshore wind market. This could generate NOK 117 billion in value and create employment equivalent to almost 130,000 full-time jobs for one year.

Key conditions for funding

To receive services from us, your company must uphold the principles of responsible business conduct and actively consider its own sustainability risks. Read more about sustainability and responsible business conduct.

State aid rules

Funding from Innovation Norway must comply with State aid rules. There are five general conditions for State aid that must be met.

The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) is part of the State aid rules. It contains provisions that allow us to provide support to companies in various circumstances. One or more provisions may apply to each case. Read more about GBER.

Legal basis for the scheme

Our funding schemes have been notified to the EFTA Surveillance Authority, ESA. The legal basis for these notifications is available on the National Legal Basis page.

Other public funding

You must state in the application whether you have applied or intend to apply for other public funding for the project. We also determine the level of our funding based on an overall assessment of how much public funding is needed for the project to proceed.

When determining the grant amount, we therefore assume that you will not receive any other public funding, including SkatteFUNN, beyond what is stated in the application. This applies to funding for the project costs used to calculate our grant (eligible costs). If you nevertheless receive other public funding, including SkatteFUNN, after we have made our offer, and it covers the same costs, we may reduce or withdraw our grant accordingly.

This does not prevent the company from receiving other public funding for project costs other than those on which we have based our assessment.