courtesy Vestas

Norwegian utility Statkraft has chosed local entity NorWind for a concept study of a large, fixed-base wind power facility long offshore in an attempt to "narrow the gap between today's wind-power technology for shallow waters and the deepwater technology of the future".

Last year Statkraft challenged a number of Nordic high-tech firms as to how to build an offshore wind park of up to 1000 MW as early as 2012. Among the stipulations were that it should be out of sight from land and placed in sea depths of approx. 60 meters.

Six groupings submitted proposals for solutions. The competition was won by NorWind, a subsidiary of Scatec, in collaboration with OWEC Tower and Grieg Logistics.

The feasibility study, which is to be carried out as an open innovation process in the course of 2008, is meant to yield the most complete description possible of a construction concept for a field of up to 1000 MW installed capacity. The study is to help narrow the gap between current wind power technology for shallow waters and future deepwater wind-power technology. The agreement between Statkraft and NorWind contains no binding obligations for delivery or purchase of technology.

Statkraft Group generates hydropower, wind power, gas power and district heating and is a major player on the European energy exchanges. In Norway the company supplies electricity and heat to 600,000 customers through shareholdings in other companies. In 2007 Statkraft posted a profit after tax of NOK 6.6 billion ($1.1 billion) through its 2,250 employees in ten countries.

NorWind is a company in the Grieg Group, a Norwegian holding company.

"NorWind's strategy is to combine a portfolio of shareholdings and access to various foundation technologies with capacities in Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation," a statement said.

Tags: Norwind, Statkraft