Japan's leading energy company, The Kansai Electric Power Company Inc., has officially joined the collaborative effort of Galileo, Odfjell Oceanwind, and Vår Energi for a floating offshore wind project at the Goliat platform near Hammerfest in Norway. The project aims to demonstrate the viability of floating offshore wind technology in Norway and contribute to the increased production of renewable energy in a region with a growing demand for electricity.
The offshore wind park will be strategically connected to the Goliat platform utilizing the existing power cable to shore. The addition of Kansai to the project is expected to bring valuable operational expertise and financial strength, accelerating the development of floating offshore wind technology in Norway.
Gunnar Birkeland, CEO of Source Galileo Norge, expressed enthusiasm about Kansai's involvement, highlighting their operational experience and financial capabilities as crucial elements in advancing the project. Kansai, with its extensive background in operating high-voltage grids and significant investments in renewable energy and offshore wind globally, is poised to play an active role in the GoliatVIND consortium.
Kansai's contributions to the consortium will focus on providing expertise and technical competence in interfaces and high-voltage systems, along with experience in procurement and financial planning. The company has already engaged in the Utsira Nord application, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy solutions. As part of its involvement, Kansai will dispatch three engineers and one commercial specialist from Osaka to join Source Galileo Norway's head office in Haugesund.