Big offshore energy industry players, gathered at the SNS2013 conference (South North Sea) at the Norfolk Showground organized annually by the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR), said that they wanted to cooperate with local firms and communities to boost job opportunities in the offshore energy sector.
However, the developers warned that keeping the costs down is a key issue for success and that the local firms should think long-term instead of short-term to keep the business going, Norwich EveningNews24 informs.
Statoil considers working with local companies pivotal for its Dudgeon offshore wind farm, for which it will award major contracts next year.
“We have spoken to North Norfolk District Council and we will try to find a way to support some local programmes,” the news site quotes Halfdan Brustad, vice president for wind projects at Statoil .
Mr. Brustad added that the commercial criteria for the project would need to be the same as for oil and gas schemes. The company is looking to install larger turbines and it needs to improve the logistics.
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Offshore WIND Staff, March 8, 2013; Image: Statoil