RWE eyes Sweden's Port of Karlshamn for potential Baltic Sea offshore wind hub
German utility has targeted Baltic as a key region for offshore wind investments, and Swedish port is seen as potential hub
RWE has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sweden's Port of Karlshamn eying its suitability for the logistics, installation, operations and maintenance activities relating to the German utility's planned offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea.
The pair said they plan to map out what will be needed in terms of equipment, construction and investments if the port's capacity were to be scaled up for offshore wind.
Sweden is looking for ways to maximise the potential of an offshore wind industry that is already proving attractive to wind farm developers.
Matilda Machacek, vice president of offshore development (Nordics) at RWE Offshore Wind described that port capacity and a sustainable supply chain industry as "key to the deployment of offshore wind projects, while a new offshore wind farm has the potential to transform a nearby harbour into a dynamic hub that catalyses significantly growth, infrastructure, jobs and economic benefits for the region.
"That is why we are looking forward to collaborating with Port of Karlshamn to evaluate their potential as future offshore wind hub,” she said.
Caroline Säfström, CEO at Port of Karlshamn added: “With its natural deep harbour and large shipyard, Port of Karlshamn is well positioned to meet the future needs of the offshore wind industry in the Baltic Sea. We recognise the demand for port capacity related to offshore wind energy, including after-sales services such as maintenance and operations centres.
"Expanding the port's product portfolio in this direction is a natural step given our previous experience with wind energy projects and logistics."
Sweden already has dozens of GW of capacity in the pipeline, although most are still waiting for requisite government permits.
Karlshamn also has potential to serve offshore wind farms in other Baltic Sea markets, including Germany, Denmark and Poland.
RWE currently operates 19 offshore wind farms and plans to increase its global offshore wind capacity from 3.3GW today to 10GW in 2030.
Its offshore pipeline includes projects in Denmark and Poland, and the company bid unsuccessfully last year in a German round dominated by oil giants BP and TotalEnergies.
RWE also has aspirations to become a market leader in floating wind.
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