France-headquartered Technip Energies and Dutch-based SBM Offshore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the creation of a floating offshore wind joint venture, EkWiL.
EkWiL will be a floating wind offshore wind pure play, capable of proposing a wide range of solutions to clients, the companies said.
“Our aim is to become a recognized leading contractor in developing floating offshore wind infrastructures. Collaboration is fundamental to position our ambitions sustainably while managing the pace of infrastructure development and the challenging economics of these pioneering systems ,” said Bruno Chabas , CEO of SBM Offshore.
The joint venture will combine the people expertise, engineering and delivery capabilities and complementary technologies of Technip Energies and SBM Offshore to create integrated floating solutions for the floating offshore wind market.
EkWiL will operate as a fully integrated team and capacity to develop Technip Energies’ semi-submersible floating offshore wind foundation solution (INO15 by T.EN) and the Float4Wind tension leg platform, covering a large spectrum of the floating wind market and bringing them to commercial deployment, according to the partners.
“ Joining forces and collaborating are necessary to capture the potential of the nascent floating offshore wind market. By leveraging the synergies of complementary technologies and supply chain experience, EkWiL will increase predictability to meet market demand and deliver on our ambition to provide new energy solutions ,” said Arnaud Pieton , CEO of Technip Energies.
With a capacity of 15 megawatts, Technip Energies’ INO15 technology is a three-column semi-submersible floater that is well suited for fabrication in large series, according to the company.
In other news related to SBM Offshore, in August 2023, the company unveiled plans to build up to 400 MW floating offshore wind farm in Nova Scotia, Canada, together with its partner DP Energy.