'Stressed' floating wind pioneer Hexicon gets financing breathing space

Swedish group extends credit facility after boost from earlier regulatory approvals in South Korea

Hexicon's TwinWind.
Hexicon's TwinWind.Photo: Hexicon

Floating wind pioneer Hexicon extended a SKr75m ($6.8m) credit facility after its CEO previously pledged action to help stabilise its “stressed” financial position.

Hexicon told investors it has extended the short-term facility, which expired on 31 December, for a further six months.

CEO Marcus Thor said in late November he was optimistic the new arrangement could be finalised after securing crucial South Korean regulatory approvals over the MunmuBaram project it is buying from Shell.

Sweden-based Hexicon, which had earlier described its financing situation as “stressed”, has pledged its shares in Hexicon Korea as additional collateral as part of the credit facility extension, which was arranged with Wallstreet Aktiebolag and a group of private financiers.

The group, whose interests span floating wind technology and development activities, told investors the extension “enables Hexicon to proceed with divestments and focus on its other strategic priorities”.

The company’s shares spiked as much as 25% in early trading following the announcement – but are still a shadow of their former level after losing more than 70% of their value over the last year.

Hexicon, whose two-turbine TwinWind design is among the most distinctive in the industry, lost SKr33m in the third quarter of last year and is battling to stay on track in a floating wind sector in which Thor said market conditions are “not the best” and which has seen costs rise over the last two years instead of falling as expected.

Thor in December announced a plan to address the “new reality” that includes a focus on the most promising projects, an end to plans to enter the US and a review of costs across its business.

Hexicon will also look for a site-sharing partner at its TwinHub floating wind project in the UK.

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Published 2 January 2025, 10:01Updated 2 January 2025, 10:01
HexiconEuropeOffshorefloating