The Elia Group has approved the establishment of a new subsidiary WindGrid to service the development needs of the offshore wind sector.
The move is in response to the significant investments expected to be made in the offshore grid and the generation of renewable energies in Europe and other markets over the next few years.
Elia said the establishment of WindGrid is a logical step in the further expansion of the Group, which aims to establish itself as an international energy company.
In recent years, the Elia Group, through its subsidiaries Elia and 50Hertz, has contributed to the development, construction, connection and operation of offshore power grids.
With these, it has carried out large and innovative projects in both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
With WindGrid, Elia Group will continue to expand its activities as major investments are planned for the development of offshore power grids in Europe and beyond.
The European Commission aims to quadruple europe’s current offshore wind capacity to 60GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050.
Elia Group chief executive Chris Peeters said: “WindGrid will be a reliable partner for governments that want to proactively build offshore grid infrastructure and for renewable energy project developers looking for solutions to safely connect and integrate their offshore energy projects to the onshore power grids.
“By making optimal use of our experience and know-how as well as through co-investments in the international offshore grid infrastructure, WindGrid will make a significant contribution to accelerating the energy transition.”
WindGrid will be headed by Markus Laukamp from 1 April 2022.
Through his position as managing director of the German STEAG New Energies, Laukamp has built up a solid track record in the planning and management of strategy and implementation projects.
In addition, through his previous activities at Booz Allen Hamilton, Essent and DONG Energy (now Ørsted), he has acquired extensive knowledge of the German and European energy market.