A third company wants to build wind farms off the shores of Oahu.

Statoil Wind US LLC, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Statoil ASA, joined the list of companies looking to build wind facilities after the Obama administration issued a call for interested companies earlier this year.

“Hawaii, among with other areas off the U.S. and Japan for example, are interesting areas for Statoil for developing floating offshore wind,” said Elin Isaksen, spokeswoman for Statoil. “Hence we have shown interest in these areas to be pre-qualified in case of future possibilities.”

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the federal agency overseeing the offshore projects, reported in a newsletter Thursday that Statoil is interested in building wind farms off the north and south shores of Oahu. The report did not give specifics of Statoil’s plan other than to say the Norwegian company wants to use an area as large or larger than the areas designated by the two other companies. All three projects are proposed to be built in the same general areas.

AW Hawaii Wind LLC, a subsidiary of Danish-based Alpha Wind Energy, has previously said it wanted to build two projects: an Oahu South project, consisting of 51 floating wind turbines 17 miles south of Diamond Head, and a 51-turbine Oahu Northwest project 12 miles northwest of Kaena Point.

Oregon-based Progression Energy LLC has said it wants to bring 50 turbines to a site 15 miles off Oahu’s South Shore.

The energy from all the proposed facilities would be sent to Oahu by undersea cables.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held a public meeting in May to discuss the potential wind farms.

“We aren’t surprised and we welcome Statoil’s interest,” said Ted Peck, CEO of Holu Energy LLC and a Progression team member. “We believe the company that does it has to have the right technology for Hawaii, its waters and its environment, and know the community and engage with the community in the process of getting there.”

Building approximately 100 turbines between the two areas would provide about 800 megawatts of renewable power — the same amount Hawaiian Electric Co. said it needs to support Oahu’s energy needs and reach the state’s goal of 100 percent of its power generation coming from renewable energy by 2045.

Colton Ching, vice president of energy delivery at HECO, has said the utility is open to using offshore wind.

“To reach 100 percent renewable energy in 2045, Oahu appears to need additional resources beyond those available on island,” Ching said in August. “As such, Hawaiian Electric is open to all technologies that may help Hawaii achieve its energy goals, including offshore wind.”

Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Lodging &Tourism Association, said in a public comment that “comprehensive” outreach to the community is necessary for the projects to be successful.

“If offshore wind energy is to be given a chance to contribute to Hawaii’s clean energy future, we ask that you insist on early and comprehensive stakeholder engagement,” he said.

Richard Wallsgrove, director of policy at Blue Planet Foundation, said in a public comment that BOEM should choose the developer that works best with the community.

“To protect the public interest in Hawaii, the ‘highest bidder’ concept should be re-evaluated,” Wallsgrove said. “The optimal lease recipient will be associated with the lease proposal that is most likely to be successfully developed within the context of Hawaii’s community interests.”

Wallsgrove said the developer should engage with the community and demonstrate the ability to commit to continue working with the community and identify site-specific strategies for resolving community concerns.

Hawaii residents have voiced concerns about the impact two potential offshore wind farms could have on fishing and a culturally significant site.

“These locations hold significant resources and meaning for the local community,” said Cynthia K.L. Rezentes, a Waianae resident, in a public comment to BOEM. “The connection to the people of the State cannot be underestimated as to their depth of respect and reverence for the land and the oceans as both are life-giving and hold deep spiritual value.”

Kaena Point’s is a “leina a ka uhane,” or a place in Hawaiian mythology where souls depart to the afterlife.

Rezentes said that the areas need to be further evaluated.

One impact on local fishermen is that the floating turbines would attract large populations of fish.