NORWAY
SUPPORTING POLICIES FOR OCEAN ENERGY
NATIONAL STRATEGY
Norway has no special policy for ocean energy, but ocean energy is included in more general renewable energy policies and programmes.
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The Ocean Energy Bill, which regulates offshore renewable energy production entered into force on 1 July 2010. According to this new legislation, licences to build offshore wind, wave and tidal farms in certain far shore geographical areas cannot be given without a prior governmental process where suitable areas are identified. This legal framework is very much inspired by similar legislation in the Norwegian petroleum sector.
As a follow up to the Ocean Energy Bill, a group of relevant governmental bodies has identified 15 areas that could be suitable for large scale offshore wind power. More detailed “strategic consequence assessments” were finalized in late 2012. In the 2016 white paper on energy policy (Meld. St. 25 2015-2016) the areas pointed out by NVE are mentioned as potentially delivering 50 TWh, fully developed. No strategy for the realization of Norwegian demonstrators of floating offshore wind power and other forms of offshore renewable energy production has been presented by the Government, even though Parliament called for such a strategy to be presented in the white paper.
MARKET INCENTIVES
Norway and Sweden have been in a joint green certificate market, since 2011. Since 2012, one certificate per MWh has be given to all new renewable energy generation for 15 years, independent of technology. From year 2022, Norway will no longer participate in the scheme, while Sweden will increase their target build-out under the scheme with 18 TWh by 2030.
PUBLIC FUNDING PROGRAMMES
The Norwegian Energy Agency, Enova, offers capital grants for full scale demonstration projects of ocean renewable production. While up to 50% of eligible costs can be covered, Enova’s funding measured in absolute figures is limited. In addition, Enova has a programme that supports demonstration of new energy technology, on the basis that the technology is applied in Norway.
Innovation Norway runs a programme supporting prototypes within “environmental friendly technology”. Ocean energy is included in this definition. Projects are supported with up to 45% of eligible costs.
The Research Council of Norway runs an energy research programme called ENERGIX. This programme supports R&D within all renewable energy technologies.
