Equinor has entered into an agreement with Unitech Offshore for the company to take over the Hywind demonstration floating wind turbine.
The turbine will be renamed and used as an infrastructure for research projects, development of new technology, and for teaching and training.
Unitech chief executive Gunnar Birkeland said: “When Unitech Offshore takes over the ownership and operation of the turbine, it is with pride and expectations.
“The pioneering work that became this historic wind turbine will be transferred to a new phase and made available for research and technology development as part of the ‘Sustainable Energy Ocean Test Facility’ and for the benefit of all those who are concerned with sustainable energy at sea.”
From 1 February 2019, the turbine will be renamed ‘Unitech Zefyros by Hywind Technology’.
Equinor new energy solutions director of operations Beate Myking said: “We are pleased that Unitech is now taking over the ownership and operation of the turbine.
“Hywind Demo has been very important for Equinor’s development of floating offshore wind since it came into operation 10 years ago.”
She added: “The fact that the turbine will continue to be used for innovation is also valuable for Equinor.
“Floating offshore wind will be a significant source of energy in the future and we will also test this in full-scale at our floating offshore wind farm in Scotland.”
In 2018, Unitech, and its partners, was awarded ‘Sustainable Energy Norwegian Catapult Center’ and ‘Arena Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster’ status to help promote development of new technology, lower costs, and smaller footprints.
In its next phase, the turbine will play an important role as an infrastructure for research and technology projects in Metcentre at Karmoy.
Unitech’s technology centre at Rubbestadneset is an operating and data centre where students and experts can share, learn and solve challenges.
The company has invested in the design and production of electrical distribution systems adapted to the sea.
Unitech founder Bernt Hellesoe said: “Unitech has delivered robust and leak-free subsea distribution systems for over 30 years.
“We now have consolidated design, engineering, and production in Norway in the highest density of the best expertise in the world, in Sunnhordland and Haugaland between Stavanger and Bergen.
“Here, with local partners, we will establish a new, large export industry within sustainable energy for the sea, and Unitech Zefyros will play an important role.”