Offshore wind in the US

As a coastal nation, Norway is investing in exports of offshore wind technology to the US. 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.
Vindturbiner til havs
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Service type
Export programme
Target group
Companies with offshore wind solutions
Application deadline
Ongoing

A number of Norwegian companies and organisations have expressed an interest in taking part in offshore wind initiatives in the US. Some companies specialise in supplying critical components such as subsea cables, innovative floating solutions and 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.

Under the Jones Act, vessels operating in US waters must be built in the United States. There is currently almost no fleet available to install and operate offshore wind farms. This creates significant opportunities for Norway's maritime equipment industry to supply US shipyards. Norwegian companies have already secured contracts to supply vessels currently under construction.

If your company is interested, get in touch to learn more about opportunities to take part in the HPO programme. The project manager is Erik Rindvoll.

The 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 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 their target markets.

Contributors to this programme include:

  • The Royal Norwegian Embassy in the United States
  • The Consulate General in New York
  • Our offices in New York, Houston and Palo Alto
  • Our head office in Norway
  • Our regional offices in Norway, including funding advisers
  • NORWEP
  • Eksfin
  • Norwegian clusters focusing on offshore wind

The programme's steering group comprises companies and organisations targeting the US offshore wind market, including 4Subsea, Nexans, AKSO, Equinor, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier, Tampnet and the University of Stavanger.

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 tender processes.

Norwegian companies have opportunities to secure major contracts as the US prepares to invest more than USD 100 billion in offshore wind. The US has ambitious plans to increase offshore wind capacity from the current 42 megawatts (MW) to 21 gigawatts (GW) by 2030. Norwegian companies can bid for these licences or position themselves as suppliers to the selected developer.

The US recently passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which will help reduce costs related to clean energy and green industries. This has created favourable conditions for investment in the US offshore wind market, which grew by 15 per cent from 2022 to 2023.

The research firm Menon estimates that, with the right investments and support from the public funding system, Norway could capture up to 20 per cent of the global floating offshore wind market. It estimates that this could generate NOK 117 billion in value and create almost 130,000 full-time equivalent jobs.

Would you like to learn more about the offshore wind market? Take our online course on offshore wind.

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.

Kontaktpersoner

Tanya HeravianAdvisor – Energy Transition and Sustainable Infrastructure
+19172265916