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Executive summary
This report analyses the Norwegian offshore wind power (OWP) and solar photovoltaics (PV) industries,
based on a survey executed in February 2015. This focus is motivated by the combination of large
industrial potential and high global growth in deployment and investment levels. This growth has
occurred almost exclusively in international markets. We have therefore been interested in how
Norwegian firms can link up to these markets through internationalisation. The purpose of this report
is to gain a better understanding of current activities of Norwegian OWP and PV firms, opportunities
for internationalisation, and challenges associated with developing these industries in Norway. Key
findings in the report are:
Many but small firms:
We analysed responses from 151 firms, of which 128 have delivered products
or services to the OWP or PV industries. However, most of these firms are small or firms with only
minor engagement in these industries. Two-thirds of the firms dedicate less than five full-time
equivalents (FTEs) to OWP or PV. For more than half the OWP firms, offshore wind represented less
than five per cent of total revenue in 2014.
Related industries are important for the emergence of PV and OWP industries:
Most of the firms
have their primary activity in other industries than OWP and PV. Only 18 per cent of firms engaged in
offshore wind see this as their primary industry. Nearly half of these firms consider oil & gas and
maritime as their primary industries. 43 per cent of firms engaged in PV see this as their primary
industry, with construction and materials representing important related industries. In addition we see
that these new industries draw heavily on established industries in Norway.
Large diversity:
Firms are distributed across diverse supply chains, offering different types of products
or services within the OWP and PV industries. Moreover, we observe significant differences in terms
of firm size and level of commitment to OWP and PV. We therefore posit that firms are likely to have
different requirements, needs and goals for the engagement in these industries. This raises a question
of whether diversity amongst firms may influence their ability to ‘act together’.
Demanding to demonstrate products and services without a home market
. Three-quarters of the
OWP firms find it difficult to internationalise without a home market. It is particularly challenging to
compete without a home market for smaller firms.
Experienced and expected growth:
Around half of the firms reported growth in number of FTEs and
share of total turnover dedicated to OWP and PV over the past three years. More than three-quarters
expected increased turnover from OWP or PV in the next three years.