The goal of the collaboration is to explore whether the Karlshamn Port could be a suitable harbour for the logistics, installation, operations and maintenance activities relating to RWE’s planned offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea.
In the initial phase, the partners will map the requirements and necessary build-outs and investments to facilitate the scaling-up of the port capacity.
An early implementation of port capacity will ensure that Sweden is well placed to maximise the potential of the offshore wind industry, said RWE.
“Port of Karlshamn is proud that RWE, one of the world’s leading offshore wind companies, is supporting us in our plans to become a hub for offshore wind. With its natural deep harbour and large shipyard, Port of Karlshamn is well positioned to meet the future needs of the offshore wind industry in the Baltic Sea,” said Caroline Säfström, CEO of Port of Karlshamn.
“By establishing itself as a hub for offshore wind energy, Port of Karlshamn is also creating employment opportunities for the region and promoting business opportunities for local companies and suppliers, thus contributing to the economic development of the area and strengthening the local economy.”
RWE currently operates 19 offshore wind farms around the world. Two offshore wind farms, the 1.1 GW Thor in Denmark and the 1.4 GW Sofia in the UK, are under construction, and further projects are in development worldwide.
The company also owns and operates the Kårehamn offshore wind farm, located in the Swedish part of the Baltic Sea, approximately seven kilometres from the coastal town of Kårehamn.
The 48 MW project features 16 Vestas V112 turbines connected to the grid in 2013.
“Our Karehamn offshore wind farm is a great example also for harbour development. It has been reliably generating green electricity for thousands of Swedish homes for more than a decade. Thanks to the wind farm the old fishing harbour has been revitalised. Based on this success RWE plans to build more offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea,” said Anton Andersson, Project Lead at RWE Renewables Sweden.
