Norwegian partners target offshore wind projects

Norwegian state company, Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy company, is to cooperate with Aker Offshore Wind and Aker Horizons in the development of offshore wind project opportunities off the country’s coast. The companies will focus initially on the preparation and submission of a 50:50 joint application for development of bottom-fixed offshore wind facilities in the Sørlige Nordsjø II (SN2) area of the North Sea.

The Norwegian Government announced recently that it will invite applications for the development of wind power in both this location and also the Utsira Nord offshore area. Falling development costs and the location of SN2 could enable power generated there to supply other European markets, the companies said.

“By entering a cooperation with Aker Horizons and Aker Offshore Wind, we are exploring a value-creative opportunity in Norway,ˮ said Statkraft CEO, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen. “We have expertise in the development and operations of wind power and have previously been engaged in offshore wind in the UK. Strong growth, falling technology costs and a changed competitor landscape indicates that offshore wind will take a larger role in the European energy transition.ˮ

Øyvind Eriksen, president and CEO of Aker ASA and chairman of Aker Horizons, added: “Statkraft has been making clean energy possible for over a century. A partnership that couples Europe’s largest renewable energy producer with Aker’s 180-year track record and industrial expertise, especially on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, has the potential to redefine Norway as an energy nation. Norway’s leading offshore industry, including a strong supplier industry, means we already have the building blocks and capabilities in place to be at the forefront of the energy transition.”