General Electric invest in the Nordic region
To develop Europe's vast offshore wind resources American energy giant General Electrics looks to the north.
Offshore specialists. Surfers off the Norwegian coast enjoying the wind will be accompanied by General Electrics in the coming years (Photo: Istockphoto)
General Electrics has announced that it will develop or expand its wind turbine manufacturing, engineering and service facilities in four European countries—among them Sweden and Norway.
Here is an outline of GE's plans in Norway and Sweden
Norway
GE will add to its existing presence in Norway with plans to create a new Offshore Technology Development Center in Oslo and will expand its advanced demonstration unit production and service facilities in Verdal. GE also has joined the Nowitech Research Center in Norway to participate in joint research projects on offshore wind topics. Norway is the planned site for the testing and demonstration of the first 4-megawatt wind turbines offshore. This will result in approximately 100 jobs and a €75 million investment related to GE’s offshore wind business in Norway by 2016.
At the core of their expansion plans is the development of GE’s next generation wind turbine, a 4-megawatt machine designed specifically for offshore deployment. As the largest wind turbine in GE’s fleet, it will incorporate advanced drive train and control technologies gained through GE’s acquisition of ScanWind. The 4-megawatt wind turbine will feature GE’s innovative technology that eliminates the need for gearboxes. This technology is already being demonstrated at a test site in Hundhammerfjellet, Norway, where the first ScanWind direct drive unit has been operating for more than five years.
-GE’s decision illustrates that we are an attractive country for investments with world-class offshore competence. I am pleased that Norway is a country where the industry and authorities can work together in developing the Norwegian wind industry, says the Minister of Petroleum and Energy, Terje Riis-Johansen.
Sweden
In Sweden, GE also will expand its current offshore wind facilities by developing a Conceptual and Systems Design Center in Karlstad, Sweden. A technology demonstration unit is planned to be installed in Gothenburg harbor, and GE also will join the Chalmers Wind Energy Center in Gothenburg. This will result in approximately 50 jobs and a €50 million investment related to GE’s offshore wind business in Sweden by 2016.
Further reading
Press release from the Norwegian government
