Norway: Statkraft and Statoil flex muscles with plans for offshore floating wind turbines

Intro

After reading the headlines of an article on w3.windfair.net yesterday where its Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Mr. Bente E. Engesland hails Statkraft as being a "Force of Change", I had to think about current endevours being undertaken by Statkraft with floating wind turbines off the coast of Scottland, and yes, a "Change of Force" also seems to be underway, as resources are evidently being stocked up for use in the renewable sector.

"Statkraft has a solid position and extensive future opportunities; if we are able to combine a long-term and systematic focus with the ability to be flexible and to embrace innovation – in hydro, wind and solar", writes Engelsund in his Editorial posted yesterday.

Well, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and take a deeper look at those floating wind  turbines I mentioned earlier, those planned for off Scotland’s Coast. The Hywind Scotland Pilot Park especially demonstrates Norway’s commitment to innovation – Stakraft and Statoil seemingly in joint venture .

The Hywind Scotland Pilot Project

Partnering on the project Statoil/Statkraft plan to build the first floating wind farm off the Scottish coast. The park will be located near Buchan Deep, approx. 25-30 km off the coast of Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.

The 30 MW pilot project will consist of five, 6 MW floating turbines operating in waters exceeding 100m of depth.  The Pilot Park objectives is to demonstrate cost efficient and low risk solutions for commercial scale parks.

The technology that will be used in the pilot project has been tested with excellent results in a demonstration project off the coast of Norway. 

Floating wind represents a new and significant renewable energy source that will complement an existing and expanding array of alternative energy projects in Scotland. 

This pilot project is expected to demonstrate the feasibility of multiple floating wind turbines in a region that has optimal wind conditions, a strong supply chain within oil and gas and supportive public policies such as enhanced support for floating offshore wind pilot parks under the Renewables Obligation (Scotland). 

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