Delays hit Norway's power-from-shore push

摘要

STAFF shortages at Norwegian regulatory authorities have delayed giant offshore electrification projects by several months, creating uncertainty over qualification for a generous tax relief package. Developments such as Equinor-operated Wisting and Shell-operated Linnorm could miss the year-end deadline for applications for the tax break. Norway's effort to reach a 55% reduction of carbon emissions by 2030 has spawned a plethora of green projects requiring electricity, overwhelming the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NWRED). In a letter seen by Upstream, NWRED last month told 70 applicants for concessions to connect to the power grid that they were being held in a queue due to lack of administrative capacity owing to staff shortages. According to the letter, it will take six to eight months to address the backlog with normal capacity. Three of the most prominent projects are Equinor's proposed electrification of its Wisting offshore development and the Melkoya liquefied natural gas plant, as well as Shell's Linnorm development.