Norwegian Initiative Backs Hybrid Solar Project

• Norwegian government's Green Platform has selected a hybrid hydro and floating solar project for NOK 79 million funding
• It is being developed by a consortium comprising Ocean Sun and led by Scatec
• The facility will also comprise integrated battery system and the partners aim to develop new digital tools for hybrid power plants

Efforts of a consortium led by Norway's Scatec to develop what they term as the world's '1^st' large-scale hybrid hydro and floating solar power plant have garnered financial support from the Norwegian government's funding initiative called Green Platform.

The project has received NOK 79 million ($9 million) to develop the facility whose other consortium members include Ocean Sun, Prediktor, SINTEF Energi, IFE and Solenergiklyngen. It will also include an integrated battery system.

The partners also plan to develop new digital tools for optimal planning, dimensioning, design and operation of hybrid power plants.

Under the Green Platform, Norway will provide NOK 1.125 billion over 3 years, to be distributed as NOK 458 million in 2021 with NOK 333 million to be shelled out over the next 2 years, to facilitate green growth, by supporting green projects in research and innovation.

The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry Iselin Nybø said about NOK 125 million still remains to be awarded for the 2021 cycle and will be distributed during autumn.