Swiss engineering firm Implenia and WindWorks Jelsa (WWJ) have agreed to build a factory in Norway that will make concrete platforms for floating wind turbines.
The factory will be located in Jelsa, on Norway’s west coast, under an memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the partners.
The companies have agreed to develop and operate series production of concrete foundations for offshore wind farms through cost-effective production processes, automation and the possible use of innovative technological solutions.
The factory will be developed in two phases and will result in a production and assembly area of 800,000 sq metres.
Implenia will contribute its technical expertise to contribute, together with WWJ, to the series production of a wide range of concrete substructures, such as spars or other foundations and solutions for offshore wind farms.
Christian Späth, Head of The Civil Engineering Division at Implenia, said: “Floating offshore wind farms are an interesting new area within the renewable energy sector in which Implenia can profitably exploit strengths such as sustainability, agility, collaboration and excellence.
“Since steel alone cannot meet global demand, the production of concrete foundations for wind turbines will be indispensable for a successful energy transition.”
Geir Ims, Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWJ, added: “Strengthening the WWJ team through Implenia’s expertise and innovative capacity to set up cost-efficient series production of large concrete structures will make WWJ and the Norwegian supplier industry more competitive and open up comprehensive export opportunities for all parties involved.”
At the proposed factory Implenia aims to use automation processes and its own expertise to create large concrete substructures for floating offshore wind farms at low cost.