Abstract
A new report titled “Folk om havvind – Det er veldig i det blå” presents findings from a collaborative research effort between FME NorthWind (Norwegian Research Centre on Wind Energy) and FME NTRANS (Norwegian Centre for Energy Transition Strategies), focusing on local perspectives from the island community of Utsira in connection with the planned offshore wind development at Utsira Nord.
The study, conducted by Byantropologene in cooperation with research scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and SINTEF, investigates how residents of Utsira experience the ongoing processes tied to offshore wind development. Using anthropological methods such as in-depth interviews, participatory workshops and digital ethnography, the researchers sought to understand how this national energy project is perceived in a small, locally rooted context.
Utsira Nord, located off the coast of Rogaland, is one of the designated areas for large-scale floating offshore wind development. While the project is seen as a key step in Norway’s green transition, the report highlights the complexities of implementing such plans in small communities.
The report’s authors found that the process surrounding Utsira Nord has been perceived by many locals as vague and uncertain. While some residents express hope that the project could bring jobs and long-term benefits, others feel excluded from decision-making and question whether promised gains will materialise. The sense of being distant from national policymaking was a recurring theme.
The report points to the importance of local participation and transparency in the development of offshore wind. It outlines various dimensions of justice – procedural, distributive, and recognition-based – that are central to how energy transitions are perceived at the local level. It also offers a set of “process guidelines” aimed at improving future engagement with affected communities.