European Firms Launch Eleanore Project

Eleanore project launched: 3E, Alstom Grid, CG, CMI, DEME Blue Energy, Eurogrid International and SAG bring their engagement to foster the development of future offshore grids in Europe one step further

3E, Alstom Grid, CG, CMI, DEME Blue Energy, Eurogrid International (a holding company owned by Transmission System Operator Elia and infrastructure funds specialist IFM), and SAG are each in their specific areas actively involved in enabling the development and integration of renewable energy in response to the European energy and climate protection targets. They today confirm the cooperation agreement that they had announced on a preliminary basis on December 9, 2010 to bundle resources within the project Eleanore.

The seven European companies, all active in the electricity transmission industry, including system operations development, financing, installation, operation and maintenance of such systems, and/or of renewable energy generation take a further step in their engagement to bundle competences and strengths to actively contribute to the development of future offshore grid infrastructure, more specifically in the North and Baltic Seas, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea.

The key contribution that will be delivered by offshore grids to the European energy strategy has gained focus and generates a consensus at the level of Europe and of each of the member states. The massive integration of renewable energy generated at sea – and the importance of electricity grids in this regard – has indeed become a priority after the decisions that were taken following the tsunami in Japan.

The seven companies are bundling forces for jointly developing, operating and investing in targeted projects in the North and Baltic Seas, the English Channel, the Celtic Sea and the Irish Sea, in addition to providing joint combined services, products and investments to develop, operate and maintain the required marine infrastructure.

By bringing their cooperation agreement one step further, the seven companies demonstrate their strong support for the initiatives taken by the European, national and/or regional authorities to enhance the development of offshore wind generation and show the willingness of the sector to proactively and clearly contribute to the “North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative”, the Memory of Understanding signed at the end of last year by the Ministers of the North Seas Countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

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Source: e3, October 03, 2011