NORWAY WANTS OFFSHORE WIND

Norway Looks to Offshore Wind for Industrial Power Base
July 7, 2009 (Oil & Gas Eurasia)

"Offshore wind power can become Norway’s new energy and industrial future, the country’s Minister of Petroleum and Energy said when presenting a new bill on alternative energy generation at sea…

"The new proposed bill will help open up for major investments in offshore wind power generation and turn Norway into one of the leading countries in the field, Minister Terje Riis-Johansen said when presenting the proposition…"

Among the things Norwegians do well is work the North Sea. (click to enlarge)

"A significant part of the new offshore wind parks could be placed off northern Norway in areas where Arctic winds rule the seas. The focus on wind power in the area comes at the same time as Statnett, Norway’s state-owned power grid operator, plans major grid capacity extensions in the region…[T]he extended capacity will open up for a number of new industrial initiatives in the region."

click to enlarge

"Experiences from offshore oil and gas development are to help Norway become a frontrunner in the field of offshore wind parks. After the parliament’s adoption of the bill, the areas most suitable for wind power development will be selected…Several of the projected offshore windmills are up to 100 meter high and have a generation capacity of more than 20 GWh per year."