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offshore oil and gas industry. In the period between 2007 and 2009, a number of firms with activities
in the oil and gas and maritime industries therefore diverted attention to the growing international
market for offshore wind. This increased attention was also given added political legitimacy as several
members of government voiced strong support towards the development of a Norwegian offshore
wind industry. However, efforts to realise a domestic market for offshore wind have either failed or
have yet to be realised (Normann 2015). Yet, despite a weak home market, many of the largest
Norwegian exporters to the renewable energy industries are firms delivering to the offshore wind
industry such as Fred Olsen, DNV GL, Aibel and Draka Norsk Kabel (Teknisk Ukeblad 2015).
4.3
Solar photovoltaics
Research activities in Norway related to the development of raw-materials for solar PV have been on-
going since the 70s and 80s (Hanson 2013; Klitkou & Godoe 2013). Combined with expectations for
solar PV markets in Germany and Japan (Jacobsson & Bergek 2004) the first PV manufacturing firm,
Scanwafer emerged in Norway in the mid-90s. During the first decade of the 2000s the large global
player Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) and a number of suppliers grew forth. At this point in time
firm entry was mainly driven by expectations of growth in overseas markets and mainly oriented
towards material and component supply. Annual global growth rates have been estimated to 44% in
the period 2000-2014 (Fraunhofer-ISE 2015). A range of activities were directed towards development
of new processes for production of silicon for PV purposes, such as those made by Elkem Solar.
Following China’s rapid entry to the PV industry, the dramatic increases in production capacity and
rapid decreases in price challenged many of the established firms in the industry resulting in the
termination of REC’s activities in Norway as well as a number of its suppliers. During and in the
aftermath of the global crisis and rapid price drop firms linked to PV deployment emerged. Scatec Solar
for instance emerged as a large global player in projecting and operation of solar power plants (Hanson
2013). PV deployment in Norway historically has beenmarginal with below 500 kWp installed annually.
Most installations were made off-grid on lighthouses and holiday cabins. In 2014 deployment levels
increased to 2,2 MW with energy efficiency in buildings as the key driver also with expectations for
future growth in this market (Energi og Klima 2015). Recent development such as Norwegian Crystals
in Glomfjord and Elkem Solar at Herøya do also signal new activities in component supply (Nilsen 2015;
Votvik 2015).