Implenia acquires stake in Norwegian wind power producer
The construction company Implenia is taking a 41 percent stake in the wind power producer WindWorks Jelsa. The aim of the investment is to build a production facility for floating wind turbines in Jelsa on the west coast of Norway.
Construction and real estate company Implenia has signed an investment and shareholder agreement with wind power producer WindWorks Jelsa, based in Jelsa in Norway. Implenia and NorSea each hold a 41 per cent stake in WindWorks Jelsa as minority shareholders, according to a media release.
The aim of the agreement is to develop a state-of-the-art facility for the production and assembly of large concrete and steel structures for floating wind turbines in the lakeside village of Jelsa. In addition to a production and assembly area of 800,000 square metres, warehouses, workshops and specially developed launching facilities and heavy-duty quays are to be built by 2032. Implenia is to contribute its experience in site design and planning, strategy and market development.
For Norway, wind energy generated on the high seas is of great importance as a future source of energy and as an export commodity. Wind power is also “expected to become the most important form of energy” throughout Europe. WindWorks Jelsa wants to build floating wind turbines with a total capacity of 1 gigawatt per year. This capacity can cover the annual electricity consumption of up to 4 million households.
With its commitment, Implenia aims to become a major player in this fast-growing market. “Floating offshore wind farms are an interesting new area in which Implenia can profitably apply its many years of experience and extensive expertise,” Christian Späth, Head Division Civil Engineering at Implenia, is quoted as saying in the media release. Implenia has committed to making two small investment tranches in 2023 and 2024.