Mainstream Renewable Power, Ocean Winds and Statkraft have signed a memorandum of understanding with Aker Solutions to collaborate on floating offshore wind at Utsira Nord.
The three companies are in a consortium to pursue an application to develop floating wind power at the Utsira Nord licence area in 2023.
The consortium and Aker Solutions will together develop sustainable and cost-efficient technologies which include design, construction, fabrication and installation initiatives and other innovative solutions and new technology to lower costs.
Mainstream, part Aker Horizons, and Ocean Winds are currently developing two projects with an estimated capacity of 3GW of floating offshore wind in the UK and South Korea. Statkraft and Mainstream have a separate and well-established partnership for the development of bottom-fixed offshore wind in Norway.
Tove Roskaft, Head of Offshore Wind at Mainstream, said: “The offshore wind journey is just getting started in Norway and innovative collaboration models are needed to ensure we position Norway competitively in offshore wind.
“We believe that bringing together the strengths from across the Aker group, along with those of our partners Ocean Winds and Statkraft, will position Utsira Nord at the forefront of the floating wind industry globally, while bringing broad benefits to Norway through new jobs, new technology and new green energy.”
Stephen Bull, EVP Renewables, Aker Solutions, added: “Floating offshore wind is a huge industrial opportunity for the supply chain to collaborate and build on the decades of offshore expertise developed in the North Sea.
“Together with the consortium, we have the experience, innovation and cost-competitive models required to deliver the next full-scale floating offshore wind farm in Norway and take the industry to new, unexplored depths. We are excited to build a partnership focused solely on driving forward the next chapter in Norway’s energy legacy, whilst contributing to the government’s 2050 net-zero target.”