BP, Mainstream Renewable Power and Statkraft have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Windport in Mandal, Norway, to support offshore wind.
BP, Mainstream and Statkraft are partnering to pursue a bid to develop fixed-bottom offshore wind power within the Sørlige Nordsjø II (SN2) license area and are exploring the use of Windport to support the construction and servicing of their wind farm.
The MoU incorporates a Collaboration Charter, which is “unique” in its inclusion of capacity-building of the port’s subcontractors, many of which are Norwegian, and the strengthening of the port’s competitive edge.
The approach laid out in the Collaboration Charter will help drive the port’s cost optimisation and innovative development, whilst boosting the port’s ability to service the global offshore wind industry.
Windport, a subsidiary of Global Ocean Technology, is building a port located to serve the SN2 site offshore Norway with the aim of making it a “one-stop-shop” for offshore wind port services, serving the SN2 area and the wider North Sea and global regions.
The Collaborative Charter will see BP, Mainstream and Statkraft “adding a new dimension and level of support” to accelerate the port’s start-up and efficiency.
BP, through its digital and technology teams and offerings, along with Mainstream and Statkraft, will work closely to support Windport and help strengthen the development of its associated local and Norwegian subcontractors.
Sebastian Bringsværd, spokesperson for the SN2 consortium and Head of Norway and Sweden at Mainstream, said: “We have been working with Windport over the last couple of months to aid the development of the port and local subcontractors in the region and we are impressed by the leadership Windport is displaying in spearheading the Agder region’s involvement in offshore wind.
“We’re offering the best of BP, Mainstream and Statkraft to help create what will be a vital port for not only Norway but the global offshore industry as well.
“Going beyond what we see competitors are doing in the market, we need to ensure we bring all levels of the Norwegian and local supply chain on board to capitalise on the growth we expect to see in the years ahead.”
Øystein S Pedersen, Chief Executive of Global Ocean Technology, added: “We thank bp, Mainstream, and Statkraft for the trust they have in Windport and we look forward to working together to develop our Collaborative Charter to effectively aid efficient and innovative port infrastructure and services.”