East of England Energy Group and Norwegian Offshore Wind sign collaboration agreement

In a move set to bolster the offshore wind industry across the North Sea, the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR) and Norwegian Offshore Wind (NOW) have officially inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This strategic partnership aims to fortify collaboration between the supply chains in Norway and the East of England, leveraging each other's strengths to drive innovation and efficiency in the offshore wind sector.

Norwegian Offshore Wind, with its eye on the burgeoning UK offshore wind market, recognizes the East of England as a pivotal hub for industry growth.

Arvid Nesse, Manager of Norwegian Offshore Wind, highlighted in a press statement, “East of England is one of the major offshore wind hubs in the largest market in Europe. With the North Sea as a common sea basin with Norway, it will certainly benefit our members to strengthen the collaboration with the industry in this region.”

New players to the field

The East of England has emerged as a prominent player in the UK's offshore wind landscape, hosting major developers and boasting a robust supply chain.

Key projects such as Norfolk and East Anglia underscore the region's pivotal role in driving forward offshore wind development. Furthermore, the Port of Great Yarmouth's infrastructure serves as a crucial installation and operations hub for offshore wind projects in the area.

Meanwhile, Norway's ambitious targets for offshore wind, with a government-set goal of 30 GW by 2040, align perfectly with the industry's trajectory. The recent auction success of Ventyr in the Southern North Sea II area signals Norway's commitment to harnessing its offshore wind potential. With upcoming auctions slated for 2025, where a significant portion of the areas will focus on floating wind, Norway is poised to be a key player in the offshore wind arena.

Kevin Keable, Chair of EEEGR, expressed optimism about the collaboration, envisioning fruitful partnerships between members of both organizations.

By pooling resources and expertise in crucial areas like early development, fabrication, installation, and operations & maintenance (O&M), the partnership aims to unlock synergies and commercial opportunities for stakeholders on both sides, he said.

As the offshore wind industry continues to evolve, collaborations such as this between EEEGR and NOW will play a pivotal role in driving innovation, fostering cross-border partnerships, and accelerating the transition towards sustainable energy solutions.