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10.12.09

I begynnelsen av oktober ble Vindklyngen tatt inn i arenaprogrammet, et nasjonalt klyngeutviklingsprogram i regi av Innovasjon Norge, SIVA og Forskningsrådet. Dette innebærer økt tilførsel av utviklingsmidler og en unik mulighet for å synliggjøre og utvikle leverandørmiljøet innen vindkraft i Midt- Norge. Samtlige bedrifter som har vist interesse så langt vil bli invitert til en KICK OFF på nyåret hvor målet er å bli bedre kjent og diskutere konkrete prosjekter/problemstillinger som kan tas tak i. Leverandørmiljøet med tyng

01.10.09

NorWind successfully installs six jackets for offshore wind at Alpha Ventus, Germany’s first offshore wind farm NorWind has successfully build and installed the world’s first jackets for the offshore wind industry based on the concept of pre-installed piles at Germany’s first offshore wind farm, the Alpha Ventus Project.

Scatec and Grieg Group enter the offshore wind market

Scatec and Grieg Group announced today that the companies have agreed on a joint venture to develop full scale offshore windfarms.

As part of the agreement, the Grieg Group has taken a 40 % ownership in NorWind AS, a Scatec subsidiary. The two companies aim to develop NorWind into a serious competitor within the offshore wind market. At the same time, NorWind has signed a long term contract with Grieg Logistics for the subcontracting of logistics services.

The NorWind strategy is to combine a portfolio of foundation technology ownerships and user rights, with Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) capacity through a network of partners. Focusing on foundations and logistics&installation competence enables NorWind to tap into the strong Norwegian shipping and offshore oil & gas clusters. Building up EPCI capacity and project development will in the long term enable NorWind to conduct full scale windfarm developments from site selection via EPCI to operation.

– We find that offshore windmills have the potential to become a substantial, renewable source of energy where Norwegian technology and offshore experience could be world leading, says dr. Alf Bjørseth founder and chairman of Scatec. – However, installing offshore windfarms is a very complex operation and we are very fortunate to be able to benefit from the expertise and experience the Grieg Group has built over decades within the maritime sector.

Offshore windmills have obvious benefits compared to onshore mills. At sea, there is stronger and more stable wind throughout the year enabling offshore mills to utilize larger turbines. In addition, the areas where large farms could be installed without being in conflict with other interests are almost unlimited. Exploiting wind offshore is demanding and puts tough requirements on foundations and installation processes. Overcoming these challenges, NorWind will benefit from the vast experience and competence within the renowned Norwegian offshore oil & gas industry.

- With our long experience with maritime and offshore related activities, offshore wind is a natural expansion of our business, says Elna-Kathrine Grieg in The Grieg Group. Offshore wind is a promising technology – also in relation to reducing CO2 emissions from the offshore oil & gas industry.

A basic element of the NorWind strategy is to invest in complementary technologies and participate in the development of these companies. As part of this strategy, NorWind has taken a 33.4 % ownership position in OWEC Tower, so far the only technology installed on more than 30 meters water depth. Last year, OWEC Tower provided two foundations to the Beatrice projects, now installed at 45 meters depth of the cost of Scotland. The OWEC technology is designed for depths between 20 and 90 meters, making it well suited for installations i.e. in the southern parts of the North Sea.

At present, Grieg Logistics and OWEC Tower are involved in several offshore wind initiatives and these activities will be transferred to NorWind.

NorWind also has a minor investment in SWAY, a company that holds a unique patented technology for floating wind turbines. The SWAY system is a floating foundation capable of supporting a 5 MW wind turbine in water depths from 80 to more than 300 meters in some of the world's roughest offshore locations.

NorWind will establish its HQ in Bergen, Norway.

Contacts:

Sven Røst VP Communications, Scatec AS, tel. +47 932 53 196

Rune Birkeland Managing director, Grieg Logistics AS, tel. +47 92855181

Please see: www.scatec.no and www.grieg.no