Aker Offshore Wind, Ocean Winds and Statkraft have signed a collaboration agreement to form an equal partnership bid to develop, construct and operate floating offshore wind farms and associated infrastructure in the Utsira Nord license area in Norway.
Utsira Nord, an area off the coast of Haugesund in western Norway, is known for having consistently strong winds, the partners said.
Statkraft and Aker Offshore Wind have previously formed a partnership for the Sorlige Nordsjo 2 offshore wind area in Norway
Aker Offshore Wind and Ocean Winds have partnered on other projects in California in the US, South Korea and Scotland.
Aker Offshore Wind chair and Aker Horizons chief executive Kristian Rokke said: “Together with Ocean Winds and Statkraft, we have formed a partnership of experienced developers and operators to push the boundaries for offshore floating wind and develop new value chains for Norwegian industry.
“Aker Offshore Wind brings the capabilities and experience from five decades in the offshore industry to scale and industrialize floating wind in a sustainable way.
“At Utsira Nord, the ambition is to further develop and industrialise technology based on Principle Power’s market-leading floating substructure technology.”
Statkraft chief executive Christian Rynning-Tonnesen said: “As Europe’s largest producer of renewable energy, Statkraft’s competence in wind farm development and operations and, expertise in energy management provide a good foundation for success.
“By entering today’s cooperation, we are expanding our offshore wind exploration in Norway to floating technologies.
“As a result of promising developments, cost reductions, increasing electrification, rising demand for renewable energy and favorable regulatory frameworks, Statkraft views this market opportunity as a long-term value creative addition to our portfolio.”
Ocean Winds chief executive Spyridon Martinis said: “Our aim is to deploy all the know-how, experience and technology of Ocean Winds, especially the one acquired at Windfloat Atlantic, the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm, in operation since last year, to contribute the best to the new Utsira Nord project.
“Our strong portfolio includes projects in operation such as Windfloat Atlantic (Portugal) and Seamade (Belgium), as well as Moray East (becoming Scotland’s largest offshore windfarm), which has recently produced its first power before the end of the construction phase.
“We have a track record of using our strength as global leaders in the emerging offshore wind sector to create opportunities in the local communities in which we have a presence, and we hope to generate a positive impact on the Norwegian industry.”