High Wind 2025: The Future and Challenges of Offshore Wind
State Secretary Astrid Bergmål (Ap) warns that Norway will face power shortages if the country does not develop offshore wind, but the process is taking time.
On Tuesday, the offshore wind industry gathered for the 5th High Wind conference at Clarion Hotel Energy in Stavanger. The government was represented by State Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Astrid Bergmål (Ap). Many in the audience might have hoped for news from the government, but none were forthcoming. Bergmål emphasised the importance of advancing the offshore wind initiative.
Norway needs offshore wind to meet future energy demands. The Labour Party is committed to continued investment in offshore wind, she said from the stage.
Utsira Nord
It remains uncertain when Utsira Nord will be announced and how the Norwegian authorities will subsidise the offshore wind industry.
-Since we have been in government, we have managed to prioritise 60 billion kroner for offshore wind. First to Sørlige Nordsjø II. The adventure has begun. We are working as hard as we can to realise Utsira Nord, Bergmål explained. She emphasised that there is progress, but increased costs and challenges require careful consideration and reorganisation.
Learning from Scotland
One of the challenges discussed at this year's conference is related to supply chains and onshore infrastructure.
This time, we have particularly looked to Scotland, where we have invited Scottish authorities to share their experiences with allocations and the development of the offshore wind sector, said Birger Haraldseid, project manager for High Wind.
Ragne Low from the Scottish Government explained how Scotland has developed a strategic plan for the development of locations for construction, storage, and assembly of offshore wind installations.
200 Participants
This is the fifth time High Wind has been held in Stavanger, with around 200 participants this year. The conference is the leading meeting place where the offshore wind industry, politicians, and decision-makers come together.
Education and Workforce Development
The University of Stavanger (UiS) has developed a one-year study programme on offshore wind starting this autumn.
We received a request from the industry for a programme that provides candidates with an engineering background a better understanding of offshore wind. The programme covers project management, laws and regulations, economics, and electrical engineering, with several elective options, said Mona Wetrhus Minde, head of the Department of Mechanical, Structural and Materials Engineering.
She appreciates how High Wind facilitates opportunities for students. – Students ask a lot about offshore wind. High Wind provides a great opportunity for students to network, meet employers, and learn more about the current developments in offshore wind in Norway, Minde added.
Access to expertise and the development of certification and education offerings are crucial for the offshore wind industry. This year 60 students has attended the High Wind conference.
We must stand together to ensure that the positive momentum for offshore wind does not disappear. We see that many young people want to work in new industries, and this year we have made significant efforts to ensure that the next generation does not overlook offshore wind, Birger Haraldseid explained.
3 days and over 500 people engaged
The High Wind events stretch over 3 days now and the meetings engage more than 500 people.We have a separate PhD network focusing on Social Acceptance in the Energy Transition.
Cooperation meetings between the North Sea Cities of the World Energy Partnership, this time with an agreement signed between Education Esbjerg and the University of Stavanger.
A student programme, gathering students from several countries as well as Norwegian Universities.
Focused workshops related to:
- Certification, Education and Training for the Offshore Wind industry.
- Novel technology solutions for the Offshore Wind Industry
- Shore side infra structure, what does it take to get there and how can ports across the North Sea cooperate more.
- Sosio-economic impact of Offshore wind
High Wind is organised by a working partnership consisting of the ONS Foundation, Norwegian Offshore Wind, the Stavanger Region, Chamber of Commerce and City of Stavanger.
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