NORWEGIAN outfits StatoilHydro and Statkraft have joined forces to develop the 315-megawatt Sheringham Shoal offshore windfarm off the coast of Norfolk in the UK.
The project will comprise 88 turbines and is planned to start production in 2011. When fully operational, its annual electricity production is expected to power about 220,000 UK homes. Total investment will be about £1billion.
Until now, the 315MW Sheringham Shoal project has been owned 100% by StatoilHydro. Through an agreement, Statkraft will acquire 50% of the shares in the project, thus becoming an equal partner.
This contrasts with Shell, which has walked away from UK offshore wind.
Sheringham Shoal is ready for construction and will be developed according to schedule, with StatoilHydro as the operator during the construction phase. It will be the most important windfarm project in both StatoilHydro’s and Statkraft’s wind energy portfolios. The partnership and the decision to develop the project are a significant milestone in both companies’ ambitions in the field of offshore wind.
“We are pleased to announce our decision to go ahead with this significant project together with Statkraft. We believe our joint efforts will generate value for both companies, as well as our owners and society as a whole,” said StatoilHydro’s chief executive, Helge Lund.
Sheringham Shoal, 17-23km off the coast of Norfolk, will cover an area of 35sq km. Construction starts this year and a gradual start-up of production is scheduled for 2011.
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