Shaping the Future of METCentre
Extended Concession
Expansion of the Karmøy Test Area
The expansion includes:
- New 13 km subsea cable
- New 3.4 km land cable
- Offshore connection infrastructure
- Up to 82.7 MW power generation
- Up to 5 new projects for testing floating renewable energy production
Where and When?
- 10 km west of Karmøy
- Estimated completion of grid infrastructure:
Summer 2028 - Estimated start of land excavation work:
Spring 2027
Background and Purpose
The Karmøy Test Area currently operates two offshore wind turbines, supplying renewable energy to Karmøy while serving as a hub for technological innovation. The site hosts Hywind Demo, the world’s first floating wind turbine, and is internationally recognized as a leading test centre for marine renewable energy technologies.
The existing subsea cable has reached its full capacity of 6 MW. To maintain the centre’s role in advancing floating offshore wind technology, plans for expansion have been in place since 2019.
In autumn 2023, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate granted a new licence enabling:
- Installation of a 3.4 km land cable in a trench
- Deployment of an approximately 12 km subsea cable to support grid connection for upcoming offshore projects
Key objectives of the test centre:
- Technology development and innovation
- Data and knowledge collection
- Advancement of a sustainable offshore wind industry
- Establishment of new supply chains for offshore wind
Development Status
Land Cable Project:
- Detailed engineering by COWI
- Assessments conducted by Fagne
- Coordination with Karmøy municipality and Rogaland county for trench collaboration
- Landowner agreements finalized
Subsea Cable Project:
- Evaluation of multiple offshore grid connection alternatives
Grid Connection Progress
- Project milestones calendar (e.g., “Subsea cable installation – Week 28”, “Test operations commence Q1 2026”)
- Notifications and updates
Upcoming Offshore Projects
Expansion from 2 to 6 turbines, totaling 82.7 MW
Environment and Safety
- Continuous monitoring of birds, fish, noise, and ocean conditions
- Comprehensive risk assessments and mitigation measures
- Collaboration with local fishers and regulatory authorities
- Downloadable reports and measurement data
Neighbours and Stakeholders
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Notification service (email/SMS) for noise and construction updates
- Reporting channels for concerns or observations
- Contact information for project representatives
Document Archive
- Licence decisions and conditions
- Maps, technical documents, and MTA plans
- Minutes from information meetings and hearings