Uniting offshore wind partners to conquer the global market

End of August, offshore wind peers from industry, academia, municipalities, clusters, and local government met to explore how they can improve their collaboration to strengthen the region’s position in the global offshore wind industry.

Stronger together

The starting point was a project called Vind Vest, were all parties jointly concluded that they will be stronger together. The report «VindVest 2024” revealed significant how industrial cooperation could support job creation and technological advancements. This week, words are put into action by SAMvind. The project is supported financially by Vestland County Council.

The Norwegian government has committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and offshore wind is appointed as an important tool to reach this goal. Estimated production is 30 GW for offshore wind by 2040.   

The National Competence Center for Offshore Wind, HavvindNO, has also released reports showing possibilities and challenges in developing the value chain: What competence is needed and how Norwegian harbours and ports need to be developed. The reports all highlight business opportunities. 

Vestland has both skills and technology

The supply chain for offshore wind is one of six industries where the total export potential is expected to exceed EUR 32 billion per year in 2030. New power production can itself provide a basis for new green businesses and create industrial opportunities for Vestland.

Decades of experience from oil and gas in Vestland have cultivated a skilled workforce and advanced technologies, easily transferable to offshore wind, documented in the report “VindVest 2024”.

This industrial history has also made our region able to develop a strong infrastructure for business activities related to marine and maritime operations. The potential to utilize established infrastructure for offshore wind activities is greater in some areas, for example, due to space, location, depth conditions, and axle load capacity, as well as the opportunities arising from established players or the combination of several established players.

The founding fathers of SAMvind: Christian Gebardt (UiB), Atle Dåvøy (GCE Ocean Technology), Tor Martin Misund (Vflk), Solveig Wiik (Askøy Municipality), Nils Petter Lillebø (Goodtech), Kjell Eirik Haavold (The Norwegian Competence Centre for Offshore Wind), Jørgen Jorde (Westcon Yards), Andreas Helgesen (TechnipFMC), Bjarte Aldal (Wergeland Group), Vegard Lavik (Fjordbase Group), Gisle Nondal (GCE Ocean Technology), Audun Erik Sunde (Vflk), Jon O. Hellevang (GCE Ocean Technology). Photo: GCE Ocean Technology. 

Could you add value?

The main goal in the project is to unite stakeholders in Vestland to position the county as a leading offshore wind region. To bring parties together, the project will create arenas for collaboration on spatial planning, ports, and bases and strengthen knowledge about North Sea market opportunities.

Invest in Vestland is dedicated to supporting companies looking to capitalize on the opportunities identified in VindVest 2024.  Don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors to explore opportunities in the region, or contact Innovation Manager Atle Dåvøy in the cluster GCE Ocean Technology.