- Energy companies combine their expertise to strengthen the ScotWind proposition and collaborate on future projects.
- The partnership will maximize opportunities to transition the oil and gas workforce and for future decarbonization of North Sea energy operations.
- Transmission Investment is also partnering on the bid bringing their wealth of transmission expertise.
About the partnership
Glasgow, 12 July 2021 – Scottish offshore wind developer, Red Rock Power Limited and Eni, the Italian energy company, have formed a new 50/50 partnership as they prepare to make a joint bid with the support of transmission company, Transmission Investment in the forthcoming ScotWind offshore leasing round.
The companies will also consider future renewable opportunities in Scotland and combine their wind farm development and offshore expertise, harnessing a common desire to support the net-zero transition.
The partnership’s future offshore wind projects in particular would prioritize maximizing opportunities for local supply chain growth, the development, and deployment of new technologies, and contributing to the decarbonization of the North Sea and the transfer of skills this will generate.
Levelling-up offshore construction
Guy Madgwick, Red Rock Power CEO, said: “Securing a partner to enable us to capitalize on our existing offshore wind development expertise and leveling up our offshore construction experience ahead of the Scotland bid was a key priority for us this year. Eni brings a wealth of offshore expertise from the oil and gas sector that offers significant value in potential projects moving forward.
Our priority right now is formulating a competitive proposition that would allow us to expand while maximizing opportunities for Scotland’s wind sector and supply chain. We recognize the vast potential in collaborating with an energy company like Eni to deliver net-zero targets in the North Sea and see this as an opportunity to further champion the transition of its skilled workforce into renewables.
I come from an oil and gas background, as do many of our team, and we recognize that there are significant learnings and transferable skills the wind industry can benefit from.”
Developing the local industry
Alessandro Della Zoppa, Head of Renewables in Eni Gas & Luce, said: “We are glad to enter into a partnership with Red Rock Power for the ScotWind bid. Red Rock Power’s team brings significant experience in this sector and specifically in Scotland.
We are confident that this collaboration will support Eni’s ambition to achieve its renewables targets, as well as contributing to the development of Scotland’s role in the decarbonization of the North Sea. The success of Scotland will be crucial for developing the local industry in this sector and for positioning new technologies in a growing global market.
Eni is committed to a Just Transition underlining a constant commitment to enhancing people’s value while seizing the opportunities offered by possible developments in the energy market, this is our driver as we continue our transformation journey”.
Delivering 60 GW installed capacity by 2050
Eni is continuing to expand its renewables portfolio as its works towards delivering 60 GW installed capacity by 2050. It made its first step in the offshore wind sector by acquiring a 20 percent stake in the Dogger Bank Offshore Wind project in December 2020 and owns and operates a number of solar and onshore wind projects inside and outside Europe.
Moreover, Eni, the University of Strathclyde, and Eni Corporate University have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and deliver a program to help professionals and workforces working in the oil and gas sector in Scotland to transfer their skills to renewable energy technologies, creating high-value Scottish jobs.
Expansion of the Scottish electricity sector
Transmission Investment will bring to the ScotWind bid partnership its extensive expertise in grid infrastructure, a key area of focus for UK offshore wind and for Scotland.
With an industry-leading track record in the acquisition and management of GB offshore wind farms connections, and offshore wind generation and interconnector sector development experience, Transmission Investment is well placed to contribute to the expansion of the Scottish electricity sector in general, and Scottish offshore wind in particular.
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Source: eni.com
