A comparative study of 20 potential offshore wind sites in Norway

Abstract

This thesis addresses spatial planning for offshore wind energy in Norway, with a focus on sustainability. Through a comparative analysis, it explores 20 newly identified offshore wind areas by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) in 2023 in relation to Solbrekke and Sorteberg (2023) suitability maps of the Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone. Based on Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methods, QGIS software was used to evaluate these sites. The analysis addresses the primary research question of how do the suitability scores proposed by Solbrekke and Sorteberg (2023) compare to the 20 areas proposed by NVE in 2023, demonstrating a robust alignment between the suitability scores proposed by Solbrekke and Sorteberg (2023) and those of the areas identified by NVE. However, 3 of the 20 areas assessed present suitability problems, likely due to an overlap with Particularly Valuable Areas, stressing the need for careful environmental consideration and continuous monitoring in offshore wind development. In addition, the exploration of Norway's potential for offshore wind energy export in the context of the European Union's Energy Agenda reveals promising findings. Although the estimations are approximate, there are indications that Norway could significantly contribute to covering 6 to 12% of the EU's annual electricity demand by exporting offshore wind energy from the top 10% of the most suitable areas, highlighting the country's role in promoting regional energy security and sustainability. This thesis aims to contribute to the spatial planning discourse on sustainable offshore wind in Norway, focusing on challenges, opportunities and ways forward. The thesis also identifies limitations and emphasizes the need for continued research and collaboration to address the complexities of sustainable offshore wind development. By providing a foundation for future efforts, this thesis aims to promote a more resilient, equitable and sustainable energy future for Norway and Europe.