'Local value': Vattenfall ties up with Fred Olsen for tilt at Scottish offshore wind play
Swedish utility forms 50:50 partnership with Norwegian developer in latest announced pairing for hotly anticipated 10GW ScotWind round
European utility Vattenfall has set the seal on a partnership deal with developer Fred Oslen Renewables (FOR) to bid into Scotland’s upcoming ScotWind offshore wind tender, the latest high-profile alliance to be formed in the run-up to of the keenly anticipated auction.
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The 50:50 agreement, the pair said, would offer a “unique combination of skillset and experience provid[ing] the opportunity to demonstrate how Scotland’s renewable energy ambitions can be realised when industry, government and communities work together”.
“This joint venture brings together two companies with strong track records in Scotland. We fundamentally understand the importance of developing projects which benefit the local economy and environment while ensuring the best possible value for bill payers,” said Vattenfall’s head of wind Helene Bistrom.
“Vattenfall’s goal is to enable fossil-free living within one generation, and we are very excited to be working with FOR to bring the best of our experience together to create a strong offer for Scotland.”
In a joint statement the companies said “dependent on a successful award, [they would] focus on achieving maximum value for the Scottish economy through creating a local and sustainable supply chain in Scotland and will bring long term economic benefits to local communities.
Anette Olsen, managing director of Fred Olsen parent company Bonheur, said: “Thirty years ago, our journey in renewables started in Scotland. Today, Fred Olsen-related companies employ more than 350 people in Scotland.
“Our focus has always been to create local value, and together with Vattenfall we are confident that we can build on our joint presence in Scotland and deliver offshore wind with considerable local benefits.”
Bids for the long-anticipated ScotWind round, which will include up to 15 areas totalling 10GW in capacity, are to be handed-in in July, with awards in Q1 2022.
Vattenfall operates more than 1GW of wind plant in the UK, including the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre in Aberdeen Bay, Scotland, while FOR has 12 operating wind farms and a total project pipeline of 4GW in onshore and offshore wind in the country.