GIG Joins Vårgrønn and Agder Energi Offshore Norway

Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG) has joined Vårgrønn and Agder Energi in a bid to develop offshore wind in Norway’s Sørlige Nordsjø II zone.
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‍Vårgrønn and Agder Energi have worked together for the initial development activity and are now announcing a broadening of the partnership as GIG enters the consortium.

The consortium will bid for a site in the Norwegian Sørlige Nordsjø II area, comprising up to 3 GW of new offshore wind capacity.

”We are pleased to present a unique offshore wind team with a combination of global offshore wind track record, experience and understanding of regional grid infrastructure and market design, as well as a strong relationship with the offshore supplier industry and value chain. The complementary properties, together with a strong common commitment to the energy transition and offshore wind development, make us capable of taking on the toughest competition in the race for offshore wind licenses,” said Olav Hetland, CEO of Vårgrønn.

The Sørlige Nordsjø II zone is one of two areas opened to licensing for offshore wind development by the Norwegian government.

With proximity to the European power market, shallow sea depths, good wind conditions, and nearby complementary industries, the Sørlige Nordsjø II area is particularly suitable for large-scale power production, the consortium said.

”Being one of the most promising countries for offshore wind in the world, we are fully committed to participating in Norway’s upcoming licensing round,” said Edward Northam, Head of GIG Europe.

”We are excited to team up with Agder Energi and Vårgrønn in establishing a strong offshore wind consortium for Sørlige Nordsjø II. Based out of Southern and Western Norway, the two companies can utilise their combined energy competence and regional presence. GIG’s global offshore wind and infrastructure experience will complement and further strengthen the consortium.”

Vision 50 GW in 2050, a socio-economic analysis conducted by Thema Consulting on behalf of Agder Energi and Vårgrønn, shows how offshore wind in Norway can generate large amounts of renewable power to the European markets, creating an employment effect of up more than 50,000 FTEs and a market for goods and services exceeding NOK 100 billion annually in Norway towards 2050.

”Green Investment Group brings extensive experience from development and management of offshore wind farms across the world. Their successful bid to develop a 1.5 GW offshore wind project in the highly competitive Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4 in the UK earlier this year confirms that GIG adds the experience, capacity and capabilities needed for our consortium to secure licenses in Norway,” said Hetland.

Vårgrønn and Agder Energi will each own 37.5 per cent and Green Investment Group will own 25 per cent of the consortium. Vårgrønn will be the project manager.

Vårgrønn is a Norwegian renewable energy developer founded by global energy company Eni and the Norwegian energy entrepreneur HitecVision, The same partnership also established Vår Energi.

Agder Energi is one of Norway’s leading producers of clean, renewable hydroelectric power, with long experience in renewables development, subsea interconnectors and power system engineering. It is the regional grid operator in the Norwegian landing area for the onshore connection from Sørlige Nordsjø II.

”Creating a new industry is Norway’s primary objective for developing offshore wind in Norway. We are working closely with the Norwegian supplier industry and look forward to contributing to the consortium’s strong commitment to local jobs creation and supplier activity. At the same time, Norwegian offshore wind-industry will make a real contribution to the energy transition in Europe,” said Steffen Syvertsen, CEO of Agder Energi.