Orsted pulls out of Norway offshore wind consortium (updated)

Bonheur ASA

13/11/2023 17:30

(Adds Orsted statement)
       OSLO, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Orsted  ORSTED.CO  has pulled
out of a consortium that was due to bid for offshore wind
projects in Norway ahead of a pre-qualification deadline, one of
its partners said on Monday.
    Earlier this month the Danish company, the world's largest
offshore wind developer, also scrapped two U.S. offshore wind
projects, flagging $5.6 billion in related impairments as costs
ballooned due to rising interest rates and supply bottlenecks. 
    "Orsted has informed us that due to a prioritisation of
investments in the portfolio, it will withdraw from pursuing
participation in offshore wind developments in Norway, and
therefore their participation in the partnership will
discontinue," Norway's Bonheur ASA  BONHR.OL  said in a
statement. 
    Orsted said in an email to Reuters that it has decided not
to prioritize offshore wind development in Norway for now as it
seeks to adjust its business development and bidding activities,
particularly in some new markets.
        Orsted together with Bonheur's wholly owned subsidiary
Fred. Olsen Seawind ASA, formerly called Fred. Olsen Renewables
AS, and Norwegian power producer Hafslund formed the Blaavinge
consortium in 2021 to take part in planned offshore wind tenders
in Norway.
    Norway set Nov. 15 as a deadline to submit interests to
pre-qualify for a bottom-fixed offshore wind tender where the
country plans to offer support for building up to 1.5 gigawatt
(GW) of capacity.
    Fred. Olsen Seawind and Hafslund will not be able to
participate in the bottom-fixed wind tender now that Orsted has
pulled out of the consortium, Bonheur said. However, they still
plan to work on a tender for floating offshore wind turbines.
    Norway has yet to announce the date for a floating offshore
wind tender.    

 (Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis; Editing by Susan Fenton)
 ((nerijus.adomaitis@thomsonreuters.com; +47 9027 6699; Reuters
Messaging: nerijus.adomaitis.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))