Norwegians fund floating wind farm

Enova SF, a Norwegian state agency charged with cutting greenhouse gas emissions and supporting climate-friendly initiatives, is to provide NOK 2.3 billion in funding for the national energy company, Equinor, to develop the Hywind Tampen project, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm generating renewable power for offshore energy installations.
The Enova grant follows earlier financial support pledged by Norway’s NOx Fund which is to provide NOK 566 million in subsidies for the project. The wind farm will provide renewable electricity to the Gullfaks and Snorre fields, with carbon dioxide reduction estimated at 200,000 tonnes a year, equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 private cars. Olav-Bernt Haga, Hywind Tampen project director, commented: “The Hywind Tampen project will contribute to further developing floating offshore wind technology and reducing the costs of future offshore wind farms, offering new industrial opportunities for Norway … and the Norwegian supplier industry in a growing global offshore wind market.” Equinor Energy AS holds a 51% stake in the Gullfaks license and a 33.3% share in the Snorre license.