Eying the vast potential for establishing wind farms at sea, companies along Norway's west coast are making the leap from offshore oil to offshore wind power.
Developing offshore wind power could prove just as profitable as petroleum industry projects, and the potential for value creation is enormous. Statoil and Statkraft, Norway's heavyweight energy companies, recognize this potential and have already secured a key position in Great Britain, where the development of wind power is highly subsidized.
The two Norwegian companies, together with the energy companies Scottish and Southern Energy and RWE npower, will develop Dogger Bank, by far the largest British wind power project to date.
Other Norwegian companies are also getting in line to compete for contracts for large development projects for offshore wind farms.
More than 40 companies primarily from Hordaland and Rogaland counties have joined the Arena NOW (Norwegian Offshore Wind) network. Every member company has experience in the oil and gas industry; some have already landed their first wind power contracts and completed their first installations.
“This surge toward wind power will bring some profound changes to this region’s industrial makeup,” says Yngve Aabø, Chairman of Arena NOW.
German Wind Farm Draws on Norwegian Expertise
The German wind farm Alpha Ventus, located off Germany’s northwest coast, has drawn upon Norwegian technology and expertise for the production and installation of wind turbine foundations.
Bergen-based OWEC Tower and Trøndelag-based Aker Solutions Verdal have supplied steel structures for six foundations each. Another Bergen company, NorWind, installed the OWEC foundations.
(RenewableEnergy.com)
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