Japan’s Kansai Electric Power has joined a Norwegian floating offshore wind project.
Source Galileo and Odfjell Oceanwind are collaborating with Vår Energi on the floating offshore wind project at the Goliat platform off Hammerfest.
The site will add 320 gigawatt hours of renewable energy to the Hammerfest region and is planned to be in operation in 2027.
The offshore wind park will be connected to the Goliat platform, using the existing power cable to shore.
The purpose of the project is to demonstrate floating offshore wind technology in Norway, as well as increased production of renewable energy in a region with a large and growing need of electricity.
Everything is in place for GoliatVIND, and the scheme does not require any new major interventions on land.
The platform electrification project will accelerate the development of Norwegian supply chains and develop an export industry and will help prepare the industry for larger floating offshore wind developments, such as Utsira Nord in 2030.
“Having Kansai join the team is really great,” said Source Galileo Norge chief executive Gunnar Birkeland.
“Their operational expertise and financial strength will help us accelerate floating offshore wind in Norway.”
On joining the GoliatVIND consortium Kansai’s role is to contribute with expertise and technical competence within interfaces and high-voltage systems, as well as experience with procurement and financial planning.
The company is already involved in the Utsira Nord application, together with Source Galileo, Odfjell Oceanwind and Ingka Investments – IKEA’s investment arm.
Kansai will also dispatch three engineers and one commercial specialist from Osaka who will join Source Galileo Norway’s head office in Haugesund.
“This demonstration project is ideally placed to position Kansai to bring the technical knowledge and experience obtained back to the Japanese market,” said Kansai general manager Seigo Yagi.
“We are excited to further develop our collaboration with Source Galileo and Odfjell Oceanwind and look forward to working together at GoliatVIND to make the project possible.”