USA: Statoil Plans Public Consultations for Wind Energy Project Off Maine

Norwegian energy company Statoil will hold three public consultations to update on the progress and answer questions regarding its floating wind farm project, the Portland Press Herald writes.

Statoil is planning to build a demonstration floating wind farm off the coast near Boothbay Harbor.

In 2011, Statoil filed with the U.S. Bureau of Energy Management for the commercial lease of four wind turbines offshore Maine coast.

Namely, the company has been testing a floating wind turbine in Norway since 2009, called Hywind.

“The purpose is to be open around our plans,” said Ola Morten Aanestad, vice president of communications for Statoil North America. “It’s in a very early phase yet. There’s no decision to go ahead, from our side.”

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, June 18, 2012; Image: statoil