ESA Approves Support Scheme for Utsira Nord
State Secretary Astrid Bergmål first announced that the Norwegian government had submitted the notification at the Team Norway reception during WindEurope, - now it has been approved.
Press release | Date: 15 April 2025
The support scheme for floating offshore wind in the Utsira Nord area has been approved by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA). The Norwegian Ministry of Energy is now preparing the announcement, which will take place as soon as possible.
"I am pleased that ESA today approved the support scheme for floating offshore wind in Utsira Nord. This scheme will significantly contribute to the development of floating offshore wind, and I look forward to launching the competition as soon as possible," says Minister of Energy Terje Aasland.
Read full press release in Norwegian
In the notification, the ministry has outlined a model in which the allocation of project areas and state aid takes place in two steps, with a maturation phase in between. Three project areas will be awarded through a competition based on objective, non-discriminatory qualitative criteria.
After a maturation period of approximately two years, the companies awarded project areas will be given the opportunity to participate in an auction for state aid. The auction will be structured so that one company can receive support for a project with a capacity of 500 MW.
The winner of the auction will be the bidder that requires the least amount of state support to realize their project. The Norwegian Storting has set an upper financial limit for the state aid at NOK 35 billion. The support will be provided as investment aid.
This is the first time such a model has been assessed under the state aid regulations.
"I want to thank ESA for a good and constructive dialogue over time. Developing the model has involved groundbreaking work and required substantial resources from both the ministry and ESA," says Aasland.
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