Aker Solution, DeepOcean and Solastad Offshore have joined forces to create a one-stop-shop service provider for the offshore wind industry.

The trio revealed that, by combining their capabilities and expertise, they will form a ‘Windstaller Alliance’. This alliance has the aim of offering product deliveries, and fabrication services in the offshore wind sector. It also seeks to encourage marine and subsea operations and associated engineering services as well as “other offshore renewable energy segments”.

In a press statement from all three companies, they noted the alliance will help cut the amount of supplier interfaces, thereby reducing technical and commercial project risk. By extension, it will also aid in execution time through better integration of services, project management and maritime asset utilisation.

Guro Høyaas Løken, Head of the Windstaller Alliance, commented:

“Today’s supply chain for the offshore renewables market is highly fragmented and, in our view, sub-optimal in terms of efficiency, cost, risk and environmental footprint. Windstaller Alliance is able to take an integrated approach, where appropriate, while unlocking value for both operators and suppliers…”
Guro Høyaas Løken

The companies plan to jointly identify market opportunities and agree on a case-by-case basis, which prospects and solutions to pursue. Also, the exact execution of the work scope and cooperation on specific projects will be set up based on client preferences and market conditions.

Furthermore, the alliance would have no joint ownership or liabilities for vessels or other assets, except for specifically agreed projects. The Windstaller Alliance plans to cover all project phases in offshore wind and other renewables.

Companies to bring expertise together for the Alliance

Given their individual expertise and capabilities, Aker Solutions will bring its experience of fabricating substructures for wind turbines, with four state-of-the-art yards, as well as a long history of supplying subsea and topside equipment.

Stephen Bull, Executive Vice President and head of Aker Solutions’ Renewables business highlighted: “Together with the alliance partners, we are dedicated to supporting the offshore renewables industry,” adding that, “our biggest contribution to the industry will be to do things in a safer, smarter and more sustainable way.”

DeepOcean, already has extensive experience from offshore renewables, including dedicated assets for the renewable markets. The company claims it will provide the alliance with specialized subsea installation and service solutions for offshore renewables.

Øyvind Mikaelsen, CEO of DeepOcean also noted: “Windstaller Alliance can also offer project management capabilities. We believe we have an ideal set-up to tear down existing efficiency silos, reduce project risk and client cost.”

Solstad is also a stalwart in the offshore renewables sector— providing wind farm installation, operations and maintenance services since 2009— and will make its fleet of 90 vessels available to the alliance.

Lars Peder Solstad, CEO of Solstad Offshore said: “In terms of competence, size and asset base, Windstaller Alliance’s offering is probably unrivalled in the marketplace.

“However, it is how we will integrate and join the three companies’ offerings that will create the real value for both operators and us suppliers,” he added.

Development stages of the Alliance

The alliance will target opportunities from project development through to operations. In the preparatory phase, the Alliance will deliver engineering services as well as subsea survey, inspection and site preparation services.

As the project evolves, the Alliance indicates it will provide product deliveries such as subsea technologies, fabrication of substructures carrying wind turbines, site management and crane operations.

For the installation phase, the Alliance will provide trenching and inter-array cable lay services, and conduct towing, mooring, hook-up and commissioning operations.

The operations phase will have the Alliance offer life of filed IMR (Inspection, maintenance and repair) services, as well as modification and operations support for offshore substructures.