The Hywind, a 2.3 megawatt wind turbine built by Siemens, combines technologies from both the wind farming industry and the oil and gas sectors, and will be tested off the coast of Norway for two years. Statoil’s Alexandra Beck Gjorv told reporters that the technology, called the Hywind, “should help move offshore wind farms out of sight.”

This placement further away from coastlines would be of great benefit to the shipping industry, fisheries, bird life and tourism.

“Taking wind turbines to sea presents new opportunities,” said Ms Gjorv, of Statoil’s new energy division.”The wind is stronger and more consistent and areas are large.”