The Swedish seaport and the energy company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at scrutinising Karlshamn's role in serving future offshore wind energy (OWE) farms in the Baltic.
Specifically, the collaboration will explore whether the Port of Karlshamn could be a suitable harbour for the logistics, installation, operational, and maintenance activities relating to RWE's planned offshore wind projects in the Baltic Sea.
In a first step, the partners will map the requirements and necessary build outs and investments to facilitate the scaling-up of the port's capacity.
"Port capacity and a sustainable supply chain industry are key to the deployment of offshore wind projects. And a new offshore wind farm has the potential to transform a nearby harbour into a dynamic hub that catalyses significantly growth, infrastructure, jobs, and economic benefits for the region. That is why we are looking forward to collaborating with the Port of Karlshamn to evaluate their potential as a future offshore wind hub," commented Matilda Machacek, Vice President of Offshore Development Nordics at RWE Offshore Wind.
To this Anton Andersson, Project Lead at RWE Renewables Sweden, added, "Our Kårehamn Offshore Wind farm [48MW off the island of Öland commissioned in 2013] 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."
Caroline Säfström, the Port of Karlshamn's CEO, underlined, "The 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, the Port of Karlshamn is well positioned to meet the future needs of the offshore wind industry in the Baltic Sea. We recognise the demand for port capacity related to offshore wind energy, including after-sales services such as maintenance and operations centres. Expanding the port's product portfolio in this direction is a natural step given our previous experience with wind energy projects and logistics."
She furthered, "By establishing itself as a hub for offshore wind energy, the 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."
Photo (upscaled): RWE/Port of Karlshamn