Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway – Aker Offshore Wind and Hexicon have entered into a joint development agreement to explore floating wind opportunities offshore Sweden.
The two companies have agreed to jointly work to mature early-phase prospects in Sweden. The companies intend to establish a 50-50 joint venture.
Astrid Skarheim Onsum, CEO of Aker Offshore Wind, said: “Working with Hexicon presents an opportunity to actively take part in shaping the Swedish offshore wind market, and to support the country’s energy transition towards net zero. In Hexicon, we see a strong cultural fit and a partner with complementary skillset in local project development.”
Stockholm-based Hexicon was founded in 2009 and has an experienced team that is developing floating offshore wind projects with other established industry partners in countries such as Korea and Scotland. Offshore wind in Sweden is an early-stage market with large potential, and Hexicon is the only dedicated floating wind developer in the domestic market.
Marcus Thor, CEO of Hexicon, said: “As a Swedish company, we want to take an active part in the domestic energy transition. Sweden has large energy needs, and the Swedish industry is dependent on a stable energy supply. Together with the great team at Aker Offshore Wind, we will be able to accelerate the work to develop Sweden’s first floating wind projects.”
Both parties are technology agnostic for the purposes of the project and will work together to identify the optimal technology solutions for each project.
According to the companies, the Swedish offshore wind market is expected to grow, as the country implements plans to boost renewable energy generation and reach ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Sweden aims to phase out nuclear power, which currently accounts for 40% of the energy mix, and replace it with renewables. At the same time, energy demand is increasing from population growth, electrification of infrastructure and industry.
In addition, Hexicon recently partnered with Bechtel to demonstrate its two-turbine floating foundation offshore the UK.
The partnership will draw on Bechtel’s engineering, construction, and project financing expertise to develop the design and constructability of the offshore wind facility. In addition to demonstrating a 35- to 40-MW floating wind project, the team will also establish how the technology could be brought to market, and explore the roles that local suppliers could play in shipbuilding, mooring, and installations, as well as the long-term serving needs of floating offshore wind.
03/29/2021
