Equinor, RWE and Hydro REIN Norwegian offshore wind alliance

By: Tom Russell 26/05/2021 Equinor

General Windfarms

Equinor, RWE Renewables and Hydro REIN have signed a collaboration agreement for offshore wind in Norway. The partners will jointly prepare and submit an application to the Norwegian authorities to develop a large-scale bottom-fixed offshore wind farm in the Sørlige Nordsjø II area of the Norwegian North Sea.

The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy has opened two areas for offshore renewables (Utsira Nord and Sørlige Nordsjø II) and is currently working on the licensing process for offshore wind power projects in Norway. The area borders the Danish sector in the North Sea.

“The North Sea has among the world’s best wind resources. A large-scale offshore wind farm at Sørlige Nordsjø II could play a key role in expanding the North Sea as an offshore energy hub and create new industrial opportunities for Norway as an energy nation. Between Equinor, RWE, and Hydro we have the industrial capabilities, from the turbine to the consumer, to create value and supply renewable power to Europe,” said Pål Eitrheim, Equinor’s executive vice president New Energy Solutions.

Anja-Isabel Dotzenrath, chief executive officer at RWE Renewables, said: “Offshore wind is key for meeting the increasing demand for renewable power, supporting local industries and creating new, future-proof jobs. We will bring our 20 years of experience and expertise in the offshore industry together with our partners Equinor and Hydro to contribute in delivering Norway’s offshore wind ambitions.”

“Offshore wind will be an important component in the future energy mix to decarbonize Europe and reach the 2050 targets. For Hydro, this cooperation is part of our strategy to diversify and explore growth opportunities in new energy. Through Hydro REIN, we bring our industrial capabilities and energy markets knowledge to the partnership, and we are happy to cooperate with RWE and Equinor. Together, we form a strong partnership for developing Sørlige Nordsjø II,” said Arvid Moss, Hydro Energy’s executive vice president.

Both Equinor and RWE have jointly developed the 385 MW Arkona offshore wind farm in the German part of the Baltic Sea. This was commissioned in 2019 and is delivering sustainable renewable electricity for the equivalent of 400,000 German households.

Equinor is one of largest offshore wind developers in the world with stake in offshore wind projects in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Its current operational offshore wind capacity falls just shy of 400 MW, with over 1 GW past the Final Investment Decision milestone. This includes the Dogger Bank A&B, projects in the UK and, the first of its kind Hywind Tampen flaoting situated off the coast of Norway. This project, currently under construction, is on schedule to become the world’s largest floating wind farm as well as the first project ever to use wind energy to decarbonise offshore oil and gas production. Equinor's pipeline extends further afield, with over 11 GW in various stages of development.

RWE ranks among the one world's largest producers of renewable energy. In offshore wind the company has over 2.4 GW of operational capacity. Currently, the company is constructing the 857 MW Triton Knoll offshore wind farm off the English Coast and it recently made the Financial Investment Decision on its 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind project. Just last month the company secured a Contract for Difference for its 350 MW FEW Baltic II offshore wind farm from the Polish Energy Regulatory Office.

Hydro REIN is a newly established company by Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro which has been set for renewable energy development. Hydro owns and operate various businesses and has investments with a base in sustainable industries. Hydro is through its businesses present in a broad range of market segments for aluminium, energy, metal recycling, renewables and batteries Over the last few years, it has been one of the world’s largest corporate buyers of renewable power.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

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