Norway has cancelled its plans for an upcoming fixed-bottom offshore wind tender which would have expanded the 1.5 GW Southern North Sea 2 site, citing cost concerns. A study conducted by transmission system operator (TSO) Statnett found that offshore wind in this area would be expensive – requiring state support – regardless of whether it adopted ‘hybrid cables’ (meaning grid connection to other North Sea countries) or connected to Norway alone. That North Sea network idea has now been cancelled or at least put on the back burner on Norway’s side – even though Denmark and Germany have decided to proceed with the Bornholm Energy Island, planning a 2030 commissioning date. At the end of last month the Norwegian ruling…