A wind power research centre will be built in Norway, said the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Tina Bru. The investment of about 11 million euro will help to make wind power cheaper.
The NorthWind research centre will work on innovations to make wind power more efficient, more sustainable and cheaper. For Norway, the top priority remains the offshore wind research and development, which offers great opportunities for the local businesses.
Commenting on the new centre’s perspectives, Ms Bru said that R&D is crucial to secure lower costs and to decrease the environmental impact. NorthWind will bring together over 50 partners from research institutions and industry across the globe.
“I believe a longterm research centre with industry partners, the research community and the government will contribute to further development of offshore wind power in Norway”, said Norway’s Petroleum and Energy Minister.
Among the Norwegian partakers of the NorthWind research centre will be University of Science and Technology, The Institute for Nature Research, Geotechnical Institute and the University of Oslo. The research institute SINTEF will be a leader of the innovative project, said Alexandra Bech Gjørv, CEO of SINTEF.
“Offshore wind has the potential to meet the world’s electricity needs many times over and innovations cutting its costs will help bring this renewable energy to the market even faster,” Ms Bech added.
