Accelerating Offshore Wind Development: Port of Esbjerg and WindPort Partnership
One of the world’s largest base ports for offshore wind activities, the Port of Esbjerg, has joined forces with Norwegian port operator WindPort in a strategic partnership aimed at advancing offshore wind development in Norway.
The collaboration between Port of Esbjerg and WindPort is centered around joint project development and knowledge sharing in crucial areas such as quay design, logistics, sustainable energy practices, and new fuel technologies, with the goal of powering and scaling the offshore wind industry.
Expertise and Potential
Port of Esbjerg brings a wealth of expertise in handling large offshore installations, boasting a proven track record in servicing Europe’s offshore wind supply chain. On the other hand, WindPort currently offers around 200,000 square meters of space, with the potential to expand up to one million square meters across three fjordside locations.
WindPort’s deep and obstruction-free navigation channel, requiring no further dredging or adjustments, makes it an ideal location for accommodating large vessels used in offshore wind installations, with a short distance from the fjord to the open sea. Located strategically in the deep-water port in Mandal, Norway, WindPort offers significant potential for realizing ambitious offshore wind projects.
Strategic Collaboration
The partnership between Port of Esbjerg and WindPort combines Esbjerg’s extensive offshore wind expertise with WindPort’s strategic location and aspirations to become the primary marshalling hub for the Sørlige Nordsjø II (SNII) offshore wind project.
Windport, historically serving the oil and gas sector, is transitioning towards offshore wind. Its geographical proximity to SNII and strong infrastructure position make it a critical asset in Norway’s green energy shift.
According to Turid Storhaug, Managing Director at WindPort, “Port Esbjerg is widely regarded as one of the most experienced offshore wind ports globally with unique capabilities. Learning from their experience and know-how enables us to build smarter from the start and position WindPort as a top-tier marshalling hub.”
SNII Project
The SNII project marks the first major offshore wind project on the Norwegian continental shelf. It is set to include 60-100 wind turbines with a total capacity of 1.5GW and an almost 200 km HVDC-link connecting the offshore wind farm with the existing substation in Kvinesdal in southern Norway.
Preparations for SNII involve investments in quay expansion and overall port development. WindPort is gearing up to heavily invest in upgrading its quay facilities and operational infrastructure in anticipation of the project.
Contributing to a Sustainable Future
WindPort’s collaboration with Port of Esbjerg and the focus on effective port management not only accelerates WindPort’s transformation but also contributes to the sustainable energy future of Northern Europe. With a strong local ecosystem of multidiscipline service providers, WindPort is well-positioned to lead the offshore wind transition in Norway.
As Turid Storhaug emphasizes, “This is a long-term opportunity for both Norway and WindPort. By collaborating with Port Esbjerg and obtaining knowledge on effective port management, we are not only accelerating our transformation but also contributing to the sustainable energy future of Northern Europe.”