Norway’s Wind Energy: A Story of Contrasts and Potential
Norway, often lauded for its clean and abundant hydropower, presents a complex picture when it comes to wind energy. Despite possessing strong wind resources, particularly offshore, its wind power sector remains nascent compared to its neighbors. Here’s a closer look at Norway’s wind energy pattern, uncovering its current state, historical trends, and future possibilities.
Present Reality:
- Dominant Hydro: Currently, wind contributes a modest 12% to Norway’s electricity mix, overshadowed by the 86% share held by hydropower.
- Onshore Focus: The installed capacity stands at 5,068 MW, entirely onshore, with projects like Fosen Vind contributing significantly.
- Offshore Lagging: Offshore wind, despite its vast potential, remains untapped, with no operating farms as of 2022.
Historical Trends:
- Gradual Onshore Growth: Onshore wind has seen steady growth in recent years, averaging around 4% annually.
- Policy Shifts: Early 2000s targets for wind expansion were initially ambitious, but public concerns and environmental impact assessments led to policy changes and project delays.
- Public Perception: While some view wind farms as necessary for diversification and climate goals, others raise concerns about visual impact and ecological disruptions.
Wind Energy in Norway: Key Statistics
Based on your request, here are some key statistics on wind energy in Norway:
Installed Capacity:
- Total: 5,068 Megawatts (MW) as of 2022 (source: Statista)
- Onshore: 5,068 MW (source: Statista)
- Offshore: 0 MW (as of 2022, although there are ongoing projects)
Generation:
- Wind power contributes approximately 12% of Norway’s total electricity production (source: SSB)
- This amounts to around 15 TWh of electricity per year (source: SSB)
Growth:
- Onshore wind capacity has been steadily increasing in recent years, with an average annual growth rate of around 4% (source: Statista)
- The government is pushing for significant growth in offshore wind, with the potential for up to 30 GW of additional capacity in the coming decades (source: Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy)
Other Interesting Facts:
- Hydropower remains the dominant source of electricity in Norway, accounting for over 86% of production (source: SSB)
- Combined, hydro and wind power contribute over 98% of the country’s electricity generation (source: Statista)
- Norway has excellent wind resources, particularly offshore, which makes it a prime location for future wind energy development..
Future Outlook:
- Renewed Focus on Offshore: The government aims to unlock the potential of offshore wind, targeting up to 30 GW of capacity in the coming decades.
- Technological Advancements: Advancements in turbine technology and floating platforms offer solutions for challenging offshore environments.
- Balancing Sustainability and Acceptance: Addressing environmental and social concerns through careful planning, community engagement, and impact mitigation will be crucial.
Wind Farms in Norway
Largest Operational Wind Farms:
- Fosen Vind (Trøndelag county): 3.6 TWh annual capacity, one of the largest onshore wind farms in Europe.
- Lista (Vestfold og Telemark county): 71.3 MW capacity with 31 turbines.
- Bjerkreim (Rogaland county): 168 MW capacity with 51 turbines.
Other Notable Wind Farms:
- Hywind Tampen (Stavanger): World’s first floating wind farm, 88 MW capacity with 11 turbines.
- Markbygden (Trøndelag): Innovative project with over 500 small wind turbines distributed across farms.
- Haramsøy (Møre og Romsdal county): 51 MW capacity with 18 turbines.
Norway aims to significantly increase wind power capacity in the coming years, contributing to its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Key Learnings:
- Norway’s wind energy journey showcases the interplay between resource potential, policy shifts, public acceptance, and technological progress.
- While onshore development has progressed, unlocking the true potential of offshore wind requires addressing ecological and social considerations.
- Balancing these factors will be key to harnessing wind energy and diversifying Norway’s clean energy mix for a sustainable future.
https://www.exaputra.com/2024/02/norway-wind-energy-pattern.html
As Trump’s former lawyer Ty Cobb says at left, in addition to turning the United Stated into an autocratic regime, at the same time, Trump needs to alter history such that future generations don’t think he did anything wrong.
Yes, he has his hands full, but he’s assisted by hundreds of traitors in congress, and hundreds of millions of hateful morons in the U.S. electorate.
Exciting opportunity alert for Victorian commercial and industrial sectors! A major energy incentive has
arrived!
The Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program has just rolled out an exciting new activity offering, deemed solar incentives specifically for commercial and industrial (C&I) properties starting from 1 October 2025.
This means easier access to valuable rebates when you install solar systems, accelerating your journey to cleaner, more affordable energy.
Whether you run a factory, office, or retail space, this update could dramatically reduce upfront costs and boost your ROI on solar investments.
So, if you don’t want to miss this game-changing chance to power your business sustainably and save big, keep reading!
Breaking Down the 2025 VEU Changes: Is Your Business Ready to Cash In?
Well, the main goal behind these new solar incentives is to help the commercial properties to reduce energy cost,
lower emissions and most importantly increase electrification in the
commercial sector.
It’s a part of a broader push by the Victorian Government to accelerate clean energy adoption in the Australian
C&I sector.
Through this program the government offers incentives of up to $35,000 that support the installation of solar PV
systems ranging from 30 kW to 200 kW across the non-residential premises.
Eventually, by generating Victorian Energy
Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) and combining them with STCs and LGCs, it aims to drive energy efficiency
across Victoria’s business sector.
What Are Deemed Solar Incentives?
“Deemed” solar incentives refer to rebates or energy certificates like VEECs that are calculated upfront based on estimated energy savings over the life of a solar PV system rather than measuring actual savings year by year.
In simple terms, in this incentive program, the government “deems” or assumes how much energy your solar system will save over time and rewards you right away with certificates (VEECs). You can then trade it for either cash or rebates.
How Do These Deemed VEECs Work?
When you install a solar PV system between 30 kW and 200 kW on a commercial or industrial property, the system is assigned a pre-calculated number of VEECs based on its size, expected performance, and energy offset.
These VEECs have a market value, and also the accredited companies, like Cyanergy, can create and trade them for you.
And the best part that creates a difference is that, through these deemed VEECs, we ensure you get substantial upfront savings without waiting years to prove the actual energy savings.
What Makes This a Big Win for C&I Businesses?
- Easier application process.
- No complicated monitoring is needed for rebates; here, the savings are estimated in advance.
- Immediate financial benefit, as there is no waiting time needed for long-term performance data.
- Stackable with other schemes, such as combining with STCs or LGCs, can bring you even bigger savings from your business.
Top 6 Benefits of Going Solar for C&I Premises
With the government-backed incentives like the VEU program, commercial and industrial (C&I) businesses have
several reasons to make the switch.
Here are the 6 key benefits:
- Saves Energy Cost
Reduce your business’s electricity bills significantly by generating your own clean power. With VEU incentives, STCs,
and LGCs, upfront installation costs are lowered by up to 30–35%, delivering faster return on investment.
- Ensure Energy Independence
Adding solar panels protects or shields your business from rising energy prices and grid instability. Incorporating
solar on your premises gives you greater control over your energy use and costs, especially for high-demand
operations.
- Boost Your Business’s Sustainability & Reputation
Switching to solar directly supports Victoria’s clean energy and sustainability goals by reducing carbon emissions
and dependence on fossil fuels.
In Australia, more and more customers, clients, and stakeholders prefer doing business with companies that support
green initiatives.
So, by investing in solar, you’re not just cutting costs, you’re also enhancing your brand image, thus aligning with
corporate sustainability.
- Future-Proof Your Business
Commercial solar systems (30 kW to 200 kW) can be custom-designed to match your building, energy usage, and
operational hours, ensuring maximum efficiency and savings.
It future-proofs your business by preparing for growing energy demands and regulations.
- Increase Property Value
Installing solar can increase your property’s value and appeal, especially for leased commercial spaces and
industrial buildings that seek energy-efficient certifications.
- Access to Multiple Rebates, More Savings!
C&I businesses can benefit from stacked government incentives, including VEU incentives up to $35,000, STCs for
systems under 100 kW and LGCs for systems over 100 kW.
How Much Can You Save With This New Activity?
Under the 2025 update, eligible businesses can receive VEU incentives of up to $35,000 just for going solar.
As mentioned earlier, these Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) represent estimated energy savings and can be combined with other financial incentives, like:
- Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
- Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)
This stacking of incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of a solar installation. For larger system sizes, that’s more than 100kW, this rebate can reduce the price by 30 to 35% or more.
Let’s have a glimpse at the following tables for better understanding!
Small-Scale Commercial Solar Systems (<100 kW)
These are ideal for smaller commercial buildings, offices, and retail spaces looking to cut energy costs with a fast return on investment.
Small-scale systems allow you to stack VEU incentives and STC rebates for immediate savings, with simple installation and faster payback:
Large-Scale Commercial & Industrial Systems (≥100 kW)
These are designed for larger facilities like factories, warehouses, and multi-site operations. These systems deliver serious energy savings and qualify for LGCs in addition to VEECs.
Eligibility Criteria: Do You Qualify for the VEU Solar Incentives?
To qualify for these new VEU solar incentives, your commercial property must meet the eligibility criteria.
So, let’s dive into the requirement list and see how your business can make the most of this exciting new
opportunity:
- Installation Date: Must start after September 29, 2025
- System Size: Between 30 kW and 200 kW
- Location: Non-residential premises only.
For example: warehouses, factories, retail stores, health care centers,
schools, universities, sports facilities or new commercial buildings
- Accreditation: An accredited company must be engaged to create the certificates.
Special Requirements for Hardware:
- Solar Panels and inverters must be approved by the Clean Energy Council.
- The panels must have a minimum 10-year product warranty.
- Inverters must have a minimum product warranty of 5 years.
- For smaller systems under 100 kW, solar panel brands must participate in the Solar Panel Validation Initiative
(SPVI). - The system must include access to a monitoring portal or regular system performance reports.
Need Assistance? Cyanergy is Here to Help!
When it comes to navigating government incentives and getting the most value out of your solar investment, experience matters the most. And Cyanergy excels at it.
With 10+ years of experience and over 467 successful commercial projects, Cyanergy brings years of proven expertise in renewable energy and commercial solar solutions.
From warehouses and retail stores to offices and manufacturing facilities, we’ve helped many Australian businesses to transition faster to clean, cost-effective, and reliable energy.
Our team understands the unique energy demands of commercial and industrial operations and delivers customized solar systems that maximize savings and performance.
Ready to start your solar journey? Let’s talk.
Cyanergy will guide you through every step, making the process smooth, efficient, and profitable. For the latest updates on VEU programs, keep your eyes on the Cyanergy website!
The post Victoria’s VEU Scheme Introduces New Solar Incentives for C&I Properties appeared first on Cyanergy.
Victoria’s VEU Scheme Introduces New Solar Incentives for C&I Properties
What Aristotle said here is interesting, especially since there has been so must of both evil and good through the millennia. The days since Aristotle have been marked by the Golden Age of Rome (Pax Romana), the Dark Ages, the Spanish Inquisition, the Rennaissance, the Enlightenment, the end of slavery, the slaughter of the Native Americans, the post-Emancipation oppression of Black Americans, the Holocaust, and so many more major historical events.
It seems we’re just about to see what happens to the evil represented by Trump’s second term in office. It seems that the United States has re-elected a man to the highest position on Earth whose only interests are punishing his enemies, enriching himself from public office, further consolidating his power, and keeping himself out of prison.
Will this evil destroy itself?
Again, we’ll have to wait and see.
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