EDF Renewables is teaming up with Norwegian independent power producer Deep Wind Offshore to bid, develop, construct and operate offshore wind farms in Norway.
The 50:50 joint venture will submit applications to the Norwegian authorities for the development of two commercial-scale projects in the Utsira Nord and Sorlige Nordsjo 2 zones.
EDF Renewables executive vice president of international operations Frederic Belloy said: “We are very pleased to be partnering up with Deep Wind Offshore in Norway.
“We are a world-leading company in low carbon energy with a significant growth ambition in renewables, and excited about the opportunity offshore wind brings in Norway.
“To have Deep Wind Offshore as a partner on the Norwegian shelf, will strengthen the offering and put us in a strong position to secure exclusivity on the announced areas.
“Based upon our significant experience in offshore wind, we are at the forefront of technology-development to deploy in particular floating offshore wind projects.”
Deep Wind Offshore chief executive Knut Vassbotn said: “EDF Renewables is the ideal partner providing experience and capability to develop and build the projects in Norway.
“Having now worked with EDF Renewables for several months, we have found that we share the same overall goals for the offshore wind industry: develop new projects at scale to reduce cost, create opportunities for local supply chain and provide more renewable energy to Norway and Europe.
“Energy projects at scale offer opportunities to local communities, but projects must be planned, developed, built and operated in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“The good dialogue and relationship that we have with fishermen, both locally and nationally and their organizations, is certainly something that we intend to keep up and build upon for both Utsira Nord and Sorlige Nordsjo 2.
“Utsira Nord is ideally located outside our head office, and we are convinced that we can develop a sustainable and cost-effective project that will deliver energy to a region in need of more power and jobs in the supply-chain.
“With excellent wind speeds and waters ideally suited for floating offshore wind, I certainly believe that Norway is ready to move into deploying floating wind at commercial scale.”
Green Giraffe acted as financial advisor to Deep Wind Offshore in the process.