'One-stop-shop' for offshore renewables as Aker, DeepOcean and Solstad form alliance

Norwegian offshore energy suppliers Aker Solutions, DeepOcean Norway and Solstad Offshore have teamed up to create an offshore renewables alliance that aims at offering what they call a ‘one-stop-shop’ for a series of product supply, fabrication and marine services for offshore wind.

The ‘Windstaller Alliance’ will market the three companies’ offerings, and thereby combine their technologies, capabilities, experience and resources to deliver a comprehensive service to the offshore renewables sector.

“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,” said Guro Høyaas Løken, head of the Windstaller Alliance.

“Windstaller Alliance is able to take an integrated approach where appropriate, while unlocking value for both operators and suppliers, at the same time reducing the total carbon footprint of offshore renewable projects.”

"I strongly believe that we create a very strong alliance, a game-changer for the renewable industry," she said.

The partnership aims to cut the amount of supplier interfaces, thereby reducing technical and commercial project risk as well as execution time through better integration of services, project management and maritime asset utilisation, the companies added.

Cost efficiency is key to the alliance, Høyaas Løken stressed, adding that the economics of particularly floating wind so far have not always been ideal.

"We are trying to take an integrate approach in order to take away interface issues, also optimise the time for project execution, and the use of vessels.

"When we have this integrated approach, you can get rid of the gap you have between deliveries. I believe that is where we can really save costs for the clients."

DeepOcean chief executive Øyvind Mikaelsen added: "We have seen in other alliances, that you can take out significant cost. It is difficult to say it is 5 or 10%. But, if we are doing this well, it is at least 10%, and maybe even more on some projects."

Aker Solutions is specialised in the fabrication of substructures for wind turbines, operates four shipyards, and offers subsea and topside equipment.

Service provider DeepOcean contributes specialised subsea installation and services for offshore renewables, including trenchers and cable repair spreads.

Solstad Offshore operates a fleet of 90 vessels and in the past has supported offshore wind installations.

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

“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.”

The alliance members said they will cooperate to identify market opportunities, while the exact execution scope and cooperation model on a specific project will be set up based on client preferences and market opportunities.

Solstad said the feedback received this morning when the news about the Windstaller Alliance got out, was already quite encouraging.

"If we count the number of messages we have received this morning from clients, it seems like they agree that this is something that is needed."

Stephen Bull, executive vice president of renewables at Aker Solutions, stressed how the partnership can also help clients reduce their CO2 emissions footprint.

"You can take a more holistic view about the CO2 emissions of all our operations and of our business model," Bull said.

"The major clients out in the world, whether it is TotalEnergies, BP, Vattenfall, or Orsted, or Equinor, they will all have expectations around reducing their CO2 emission from their suppliers and sub-contractors. And here we have an incredibly efficient way of actually managing that."

Aker Solutions, DeepOcean and Solstad Offshore have all announced targets to cut emissions by 45-50% by 2030.

“Through the use of modern, low-emission vessels and a range of services specially designed for the renewables market, our biggest contribution to the industry will be to do things in a safer, smarter and more sustainable way."

At first, Windstaller Alliance will deliver engineering services as well as subsea survey, inspection and site preparation services.

The alliance may also deliver subsea technologies including the fabrication of substructures carrying wind turbines, plus yard services such as logistics, site management and crane operations. In the installation phase, Windstaller Alliance has the specialist competence to provide trenching and inter-array cable lay services, and to conduct towing, mooring, hook-up and commissioning operations.

During the operations phase of an offshore renewables field, the alliance will offer life of field IMR (inspection, maintenance and repair) services, CSOVs and maintenance, modification and operations support for offshore structures.

“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,” Mikaelsen said.