Statkraft acquires two Swedish wind energy companies – E24

Thus, he undertakes a large number of projects. – This is an investment for the future, says CEO Birgitte Ringstad-Vardal.

Statkraft has been announcing big plans for wind energy since January.

They are now buying two Swedish companies: Karlstad-based Njordr Offshore Wind, which develops offshore wind power, and Svevind Nordic AB, which develops wind power on land, especially in northern Sweden.

– This will boost the Nordic energy market, CEO Birgitte Ringstad-Vardal tells E24.

-We have an ambition to develop more energy in the Nordic countries, and at the same time become a major player in offshore wind in Nordic Europe. These two companies have a pipeline of early-stage projects that enable us to get started faster.

Statkraft did not disclose the purchase price.

There are no projects that have a license

The portfolio contains a total of 15 onshore and 9 offshore wind projects. Projects have total capacity 37 gigawatts37 gigawattsWind turbines typically operate at full capacity between 2,000 and 4,500 hours out of 8,760 hours per year. The 37 GW wind capacity will be able to provide approximately 111 TWh of energy per year, with an average operating time of 3,000 hours per year. This production represents about 80 percent of Norway’s total energy consumptionIf it is built.

So far, none of the projects has received the final license.

– When are the various projects expected to be in production?

– With the exception of one project, none are likely to be produced until the 2030s. This is an investment for the future, Vardal says.

If all projects are implemented, the total capacity will exceed what the Norwegian government has set as a target for offshore wind investment: zoning for 30 GW by 2040.

Statkraft will first take a close look at all the Swedish projects, and select the ones that will mature. They won’t necessarily go through all of them, Vardal says. One possibility is to leave some projects on hold while others mature.

– We know the portfolio and have some ideas, but in developing the project you have to choose the best one over time, she says.

Not all projects will be implemented

Sweden has the largest onshore wind capacity among the Nordic countries. While Norway has an installed capacity of 5 GW today, Sweden has 17 GW.

At the same time, opposition to wind turbines has increased in Sweden, among other things forskning.no.

– It is not realistic for all projects to be realized. But many are located in an area to the north likely associated with industrial development. The large Swedish groups need new strength, and I think the combination of industry and strength will be positive, says Vardal.

When asked if Statkraft was ready to face opposition to cancel several projects, Vardal said yes, and that the company is trying to work as best as it can with the local communities to secure the project.

– Could there be one? Problem accessing the Internetas we see here in Norway?

– In general, the network in Sweden is stronger than the network in Norway. But the network in Sweden must also be strengthened.

Potentially a lot of power

The purchase of the two Swedish companies involves ten employees, experience that, according to Farddal, is important in the way forward.

Regarding onshore wind energy, Svevind Nordic’s portfolio contains projects in northern Sweden with a total combined production of more than 15 GW.

Most of the projects are at an early stage, with the exception of a 600 MW project called Hästliden. There the final processing license lies with the Swedish government.

Svevind Nordic will be integrated into Statkraft.

Through the acquisition of Njordr Offshore Wind, Statkraft will gain access to nine large offshore wind projects in the Swedish part of the Baltic Sea, the Sea of ​​Bothnia and the Gulf of Bothnia.

In total, the projects represent a potential of 21 GW with a potential annual production of more than 80 TWh.

In comparison, annual consumption in Norway is about 140 terawatt-hours.

The acquisition could contribute to Statkraft achieving its ambition to operate 10 GW of offshore wind power in Europe by 2040.