The Norwegian offshore carrier will manage transport and installation of wind turbines at the Saint Brieuc facility.
Photo: Fred. Olsen Windcarrier
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier now enters the French offshore wind market in earnest with the company revealing its first big contract in the country.
Wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa is the party awarding the task, entailing transportation and installation of 62 model SG 8.0-167 DD units to be set up at offshore wind farm Saint Brieuc.
In a press statement, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier writes that it will ”mobilize one of its special purpose-built jack-up installation vessels during the spring of 2023.”
“We have an open line of communication and great relations with Fred. Olsen Windcarrier and have worked with them on quite a few offshore wind power projects over the last years. With their proven track record, experienced people and suitable vessels, we know them to be a reliable and solution-oriented partner,” writes Filippo Cimitan, managing director of Siemens Gamesa France, in the media release.
Fred. Olsen Windcarrier Senior Project Manager Petter Faye says the company sees the project as exciting and an important milestone:
”We are pleased to have been picked by Siemens Gamesa as a reliable partner for this new market. The contract will continue to strengthen our relationship with Siemens Gamesa. We also look forward to engaging with local stakeholders and suppliers on the project.”
Iberdrola subsidiary Ailes Marines is behind the 496MW wind farm, installation of which will commence in 2023.
IPO on ice
In February, Fred. Olsen Windcarrier revealed plans to issue 26 new equity shares at an expected total value of NOK 1.496bn, however, three days ahead of the initial public offering on the Oslo Stock Exchange was meant to become a reality, the process was suspended.
”During the book building, the market conditions for IPOs have been severely impacted, not at least by geopolitical tensions,” wrote the Norwegian carrier’s parent company, Bonheur, in a late Februay update.
Bonheur didn’t elaborate on the geopolitical tensions in question, but the disclosure came only hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared in a speech the Kremlin recognizing the independence of two Ukrainian separatist regions Donetsk and Luhansk.
On the other hand, Bonheur’s update informed that Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s plan to upgrade installation vessels, the reason for the IPO, ”remains fully financed”.
English edit: Daniel Frank Christensen
