The next decisive phase in the global transition to low carbon and renewable energy is happening now, with offshore wind at the centre of the revolution. For the green shift to succeed, what’s needed is sheer scale: industrial and financial strength, and production capacity at a global level.
That’s where we come in. With five decades of ocean engineering and project management expertise, focus on safe and efficient operations, in depth knowledge of the energy markets, skilled personnel and a network of competent partners and suppliers, Equinor is uniquely positioned to take a leading role in this burgeoning industry.
Equinor is well underway to deliver profitable growth in renewables and being a leading company in the energy transition. We have a solid platform to deliver on our value-driven strategy. We will continue to build a material business, looking to increase returns on offshore wind through regional synergies, project financing and strategic farm downs, using our early mover capabilities in selected markets to achieve scale at low cost.
We plan to reach an installed net capacity of 12-16 GW by 2030. Our total renewables portfolio has the potential to produce 35-60 TWh in 2030 - and two thirds of this production is expected to come from offshore wind.
Hywind Scotland is the world’s first floating wind farm, powering around36,000 British homes
We produce enough energy to power more than one million European homes with renewable energy from offshore wind farms in the UK and Germany
Empire Wind is Equinor’s first wind project outside of Europe, offshore New York, potentially producing up to 2,000 MW of electricity
Equinor is building material offshore wind clusters in the UK, the US North East and in the Baltic Sea. Offshore wind is an important enabler in the world’s energy transition, and we will use our offshore experience and capabilities to develop the industry further.
Our experience of operating in the demanding conditions in the North Sea has given us insight and knowledge that is transferable to offshore wind projects.
Our ambition is to become an offshore wind major. Here is an overview of our current wind portfolio.
Equinor has long experience with wind power in the UK, having already built and put into operation Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon and Hywind Scotland, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm. Now we’re partnering with SSE Renewables and Vårgrønn to deliver Dogger Bank – the world’s biggest offshore wind farm and an important milestone in delivering UK’s Sector Deal ambitions and decarbonisation goals.
Find out about our UK wind activitiesEquinor is pursuing offshore wind projects on the east and west coast of the United States and is one of the largest developers in the country’s growing offshore wind industry.
Find out our US wind activities
The North Sea and Norwegian continental shelf has some of the world’s best wind resources. Offshore wind will be a key component in the future energy mix and one of the solutions for meeting the increasing demand for renewable power and enabling the energy transition in Norway and Europe, building new industries and jobs.
Find out more about our offshore wind activities in NorwayFor Poland, our ambition is to be a preferred partner contributing to the Polish energy transition and the Norwegian-Polish energy cooperation.
Equinor has interest in all three Baltyk offshore wind development projects (MFW Baltyk III, MFW Baltyk II and MFW Baltyk I). With interest in all three projects, we can build scale and value in what we see as an important energy region.
In addition to our offshore wind presence in the UK, the US, Poland and Norway, we are present in the following markets:
We are a partner (25%) in the Arkona offshore windfarm in Germany, a 385 MW wind farm located in the Baltic Sea approximately 22 miles from the German coastline. The windfarm has a total of 60 turbines and delivers energy to ~400.000 households annually. The wind farm started production in 2019.
Japan has strong ambitions to grow within renewables. Equinor has therefore established a country office here to explore renewable and low carbon business opportunities and build our position within the Japanese offshore wind industry.
Donghae Windfarm project
Together with our partners Korean National Oil Company and East West Power, we have the ambition to develop a 200 MW floating offshore wind farm in South Korea.
Firefly Wind Farm project
Equinor has started conducting wind measurements needed to further look into the possibility of developing and constructing a potential 800MW floating offshore wind project off the coast of Ulsan in South Korea
Equinor, RES and Green Giraffe has joined forces and formed Océole, a partnership dedicated to developing floating offshore wind in France.
Establishing this partnership is in line with the three companies’ ambition of delivering high-performance floating offshore wind projects to support France’s targets of up to 6.8 GW offshore wind by 2028 on its path to become carbon neutral by 2050.
We have teamed up with Naturgy to jointly explore the potential for offshore wind in Spain.
The first Spanish offshore wind auction is expected to be in the Canary region early 2023 with a qualification process late 2022. Equinor and Naturgy are jointly assessing the opportunity to develop and construct the Floating Wind Canary Island Project (FOWCA) which could potentially be the first renewables project for Equinor in Spain.
With its long coastline and favorable wind conditions, Vietnam has among the best wind resources in Asia and a strong desire to develop an offshore wind market. Equinor has entered an MoU with PetroVietnam for future offshore wind opportunities.
Equinor opened a representative office in Hanoi in May 2022.
Freeing wind power from the constraints of bottom-fixed designs opens a world of new markets and opportunities. Floating turbines can be placed almost anywhere where the water is deep enough, harnessing the best wind resources and reducing conflicts with other ocean users.
Our floating wind activities