Independent validation and strong Norwegian industrial participation pave the way for full-scale floating wind demonstration
Arendal, August 2026
Enova, Norway's government agency for energy transition, has awarded funding to Windeed AS to carry out a comprehensive feasibility study for a full-scale floating offshore wind demonstrator in Norway. The project marks an important milestone in the development of Windeed's innovative floating wind foundation technology and represents a significant step from concept validation to industrial implementation.
“Floating offshore wind is a crucial technology to meet the future demands on fossil free energy. We need to develop technologies that can disrupt conventional standards and present a step change in cost reductions. In that perspective the Windeed technology looks especially promising.” Says Oskar Gärdeman, Head of Offshore wind at Enova.
The study builds on a recent independent assessment by BVG Associates, which concluded that Windeed's technology has the potential to deliver a materially lower levelised cost of energy (LCOE) than conventional floating wind solutions. The Enova-supported programme will now evaluate how these advantages can be translated into a commercially deployable project using Norwegian industrial capabilities.
"Floating wind must become commercially competitive if it is to play a significant role in Europe's future energy system. Enova's decision to support this study is an important validation of both our technology and our approach to reducing costs through industrial simplification," says Bertil Moritz, CEO of Windeed.
Strong Norwegian Industrial Participation
The feasibility study will be undertaken in collaboration with Aibel and AF Gruppen and supported by a broader network of Norwegian industrial and research partners. Together, the participants will evaluate the complete delivery chain required for a future demonstrator, including fabrication, assembly, transportation, installation, operations and lifecycle performance. The project aligns with Norway's ambition to build a globally competitive floating wind industry by strengthening domestic industrial capabilities and demonstrating how existing offshore expertise can be transferred into a new export-oriented renewable energy sector.
The project not only advances floating wind technology, but also explores how Norwegian industry can secure long-term value creation, exports and employment opportunities in one of the world's fastest-growing renewable energy sectors.
Addressing the Industry's Greatest Challenge
The primary challenge facing floating offshore wind is no longer proving that turbines can operate on floating foundations. The challenge is achieving project economics that enable large-scale deployment while limiting long-term reliance on public support.
Windeed's floating foundation system has been developed specifically to reduce material consumption, simplify fabrication and installation, and minimise dependence on specialised harbour facilities and offshore construction vessels. These are among the key cost drivers currently limiting the competitiveness of floating wind projects worldwide.
Reaching this level of cost competitiveness cannot be achieved by optimizing components in isolation. It demands a holistic system perspective that optimizes the entire architecture from the seabed to the turbine tip across its entire lifecycle, ensuring that mooring, foundation, turbine, and ongoing operations and maintenance work together to minimize both capital expenditure and long-term operational costs.
The Enova-funded study will evaluate how these advantages can be realised in practice and how Norwegian industry can play a central role in the delivery of future commercial floating wind projects.
Preparing for Full-Scale Demonstration
The study represents an important step towards a future full-scale demonstration project in Norwegian waters. Activities will include engineering evaluations, industrial planning, logistics studies, lifecycle assessments, risk analysis and long-term operational planning.
By bringing together technology development, industrial execution expertise and Norwegian research capabilities, the project aims to establish a robust foundation for future investment decisions and commercial deployment.
"Norway has a unique opportunity to take a leading position in floating offshore wind. Through this study we will demonstrate how innovative design and strong industrial partnerships can contribute to making floating wind more competitive, scalable and attractive for future development," says Moritz.
As governments and developers seek solutions capable of accelerating offshore wind deployment while reducing costs, increasing attention is being directed towards technologies that maximise energy production per unit of investment and public support.
About Windeed
Windeed is a Nordic technology company with Swedish roots that is developing next-generation floating offshore wind foundations and mooring systems. The company's focus is to enable large-scale floating wind deployment through lower capital costs, simplified installation and reduced lifecycle costs, ultimately delivering a more competitive renewable energy solution.
For more information, contact Windeed AS
Stein Are Andersen
+47 48 19 69 64

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