In its Report to the Storting (white paper) entitled “Putting Energy to Work” (June 2021), the previous government signalled that Statnett would be given a formalised role as the system operator for offshore wind power to efficiently safeguard operational reliability in the entire power system. Based on our mandate, Statnett will contribute to the development rational grid solutions for connecting offshore wind power in close collaboration with other parties.

 

Statnett plans the following main activities in the coming period

 

  1. Updated analysis Southern Norway (market/grid)
  2. Concept analyses for the connection of offshore wind power generated in the Southern North Sea field
  3. Technology development and standardisation of offshore grids

We hope to encourage early and constructive dialogue about potential offshore wind power projects to ensure that their connection is in the best interests of society and that projects in the transmission grid are completed in time to connect production. Below, we present a few of our thoughts regarding the connection of offshore wind power from the two areas.

Windpower in Norway
The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is opening the areas Utsira North and Southern North Sea II for applications for renewable offshore energy production. Photo: The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE)

Figure from: https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/opner-omrader/id2705986/

 

Statnett’s wind power consultation response

1.11.2019 Proposal for opening offshore areas for the production of renewable energy and proposal for regulations relating to the Offshore Energy Act:

27.8.2021 Guide to the awarding of sites, the licensing process and applications for offshore wind power facilities, and proposals for amendments to the Offshore Energy Act and the Regulations relating to the Offshore Energy Act.

Connecting offshore wind power from Utsira North

  • In connection with publication of the white paper, St. Melding 36 – Putting Energy to Work, the “Guide to the awarding of sites, the licensing process and applications for offshore wind power facilities” was circulated for consultation by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. The deadline for comments was set for 20 August.

    In the associated press release, it was disclosed that: “The government aims to announce a tender competition for at least three projects of up to 500 MW at Utsira North around the turn of the year, unless the submissions received during the consultation process lead to major changes. The awards at Utsira North will be based on qualitative criteria.”

    Throughout 2019 and 2021, we have received enquiries from a number of players regarding the connection of offshore wind power from Utsira.

    Below, we have listed relevant and updated public information about grid capacity for connecting offshore wind power from Utsira to the transmission grid on land:         

    • During autumn of 2021, Statnett analysed the transmission grid in the district of Haugaland. The results indicate that it is possible to connect approx. 1,500 MW new production in the area.

    • There are several possible connection points in the area, and Statnett will consider in more detail which points are most suitable. In April 2020, an application was submitted for a new transformer substation in Gismarvik, which could be a suitable connection point.

    • There are several needs that are driving grid development in Haugaland, and we must view the need for renovation and for increased capacity both in conjunction and from a long-term perspective. Statnett is monitoring developments in the region and as mentioned above, we have applied for a new 420 kV power line from Blåfalli in Kvinnherad to Gismarvik in Tysvær, as well as a new transformer substation at Gismarvik.

    Specific projects to enable the realisation and connection of 1,500 MW production must be considered in dialogue with developers of offshore wind power projects, while also taking into account other needs in the region. Statnett willperform necessary analyses and assess measures to secure the capacity to connect 1,500 MW of new offshore wind power output from Utsira North.

    Several developers have expressed an interest in wind power production at Utsira North. However, we note that the total volume indicated exceeds that authorised by the government.

    Statnett will therefore process applications for connection once the authorities have made their decision. All those who have been granted a production licence will then have their applications for connection to the grid processed at the same time. To avoid pre-empting the authorities’ awards procedure, Statnett will neither process connection applications nor put enterprises in a processing queue at this time. Enquiries will, however, be registered in our system.

    Study costs and construction grants that can be returned to projects that receive a construction licence will be invoiced to responsible developers in accordance with applicable regulations.

Connecting offshore wind power from Southern North Sea II

  • There are a number of factors that differentiate the connection of offshore wind power from Utsira North and from Southern North Sea II.
    • The outlined volume is approx. 3,000 MW at Southern North Sea II, compared with approx. 1,500 MW at Utsira North.

    • The government has announced a stepwise approach for development of Southern North Sea II, where the first phase will be a 1500MW radial link to Norway.

    • For the second phase, the government will decide how 1500 MW will be connected to the grid after a study has been carried out of various grid solutions for offshore wind power and what effects this will have on the power system. The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) will carry out the study in collaboration with Statnett.The distance to land indicates that the connection to Southern North Sea II will be via HVDC cables.

    • Southern North Sea II is geographically situated such that a connection to other countries is feasible. A cable that connects offshore wind power production or offshore consumption to at least two different countries is called a hybrid interconnector. If the cable is built as a hybrid interconnector, surplus capacity may be used for import/export between the markets. Statnett’s analyses show that a hybrid grid solution to connect production in this area would be more socioeconomically beneficial than a radial link.

    • The power system in Southern Norway has a much greater variation in the inflow and outflow of electricity than in the rest of the country. This is due to interconnectors and a greater element of flexible production. We also expect to see an increase in consumption in the next few years, with the establishment of, for instance, large data centres and industrial facilities. Statnett has initiated an analysis of the situation in Southern Norway to examine all these changes as a whole.

    These factors mean that the connection point for offshore wind power from Southern North Sea II must be analysed from a broader perspective, and rational grid development will require comprehensive planning.

    Connecting offshore wind power from Southern North Sea II will therefore not be treated in the same way as ordinary cases, where projects request a connection to a specified point in the grid. A holistic development requires that the projects are seen in relation to each other.