Mainstream, Ocean Winds, Statkraft Collaborate with Aker Solutions for Floating Wind

Global renewable energy company Mainstream Renewable Power, Ocean Winds and Statkraft have signed an MoU with Aker Solutions, in Norway to collaborate on offshore wind at Utsira Nord.

The official statement held that Mainstream, Ocean Winds and Statkraft are in a consortium to pursue an application to develop floating wind power at the Utsira Nord license area in 2023.

Utsira Nord, an area off the coast of Haugesund in western Norway, is known for having consistently strong winds. Offshore wind is a rapidly maturing renewable energy technology that is poised to play an important role in the future energy system and the partners are ready to pursue the possibilities in the Utsira Nord license area.

Mainstream said that 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. The collaboration aims to further develop capabilities across the Norwegian supply chain and strengthen Norway’s competitiveness in floating wind.

Combining Mainstream’s offshore wind development experience and five decades of North Sea expertise in offshore development, execution, and marine operations as a member of the Aker group of companies, the experience of Ocean Winds in developing, building, and operating bottom-fixed and floating offshore winds farms globally, and Statkraft’s deep expertise in renewable energy development, operations and management, the consortium covers the full value chain from development to delivery of offshore clean energy to market.

Mainstream and Ocean Winds, the ENGIE and EDPR joint venture dedicated to offshore wind, are currently developing two projects with an estimated capacity of 3 GW of floating offshore wind in the United Kingdom and South Korea. Also, Statkraft and Mainstream have a separate and well-established partnership for the development of bottom-fixed offshore wind in Norway.

Aker Solutions claims to be an integrated solutions, products and services provider to the global energy industry with expertise and execution capacity in Norway through its expansive yards, world class production line and its strong network of suppliers and subcontractors.

Tove Røskaft, Head, Offshore Wind, 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.”

Oscar Diaz, Chief EPCI Officer, Ocean Winds, said, “As a pioneer in the floating offshore wind sector with more than 10 years of experience from development to operations, Ocean Winds is looking forward to working together with Norwegian partners and suppliers to build a successful supply chain and create enriching opportunities.”

David Flood, SVP Offshore Wind in Statkraft, said, “Statkraft is pursuing an industrial role for offshore wind in the North Sea, and Norway is a crucial market for our strategy.”

Stephen Bull, EVP Renewables, Aker Solutions, stated, “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.”

In May, 2022, the Norwegian Prime Minister had announced that the government wants to allocate 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040 and the construction will take place over the next 20 years.