Statkraft launches Wind Equity Scheme to invest in UK projects

European renewable energy provider Statkraft has unveiled a new co-investment pilot intended to make huge investments in medium sized UK wind farm projects.

Additionally, the company plans to expand business in the country through a new Energy Services Division, scheduled to open in November.

With its Wind Equity Scheme, Statkraft seeks to propel growth and add to the existing 500MW onshore wind power purchase agreements.

Financing from the scheme enables developers to set up between 7 and 20MW of wind farms without the need to mortgage land or sell stake in the project to a third party.

Statkraft aims to provide equity of up to 40%, PPA and professional project management support to the Wind Equity Scheme projects, with the company retaining a minority partnership.

A search for interested parties has now been launched across the UK, with particular focus on Scotland due to its abundant natural wind resource.

The company also seeks to engage renewable technology developers such as landowners, farmers, community groups and small to medium businesses.

Statkraft CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen said that the latest additions will significantly add to the UK business.

"We are aiming for continued growth and our new Energy Services is the natural progression in developing our UK business.

"Our Wind Equity Scheme will also play an important role. We believe there is a real funding gap to be filled in relation to developers whose projects need an innovative financial solution and this new co-investment model seeks to address this. It’s a new way of accelerating UK wind energy growth which will benefit smaller developers," Rynning-Tønnesen added.

 

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Statkraft expands UK energy offering with co-investment pilot and new Energy Services Division

The CEO of Europe’s largest renewable energy provider has today announced the launch of a new co-investment pilot which will see it inject millions to kick start medium sized UK wind farm projects. The Wind Equity Scheme, launched by Statkraft CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, comes during Renewable UK’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, as the Norwegian company prepares for further UK growth through a new Energy Services Division, launching this November.
After launching in the UK in 2006 and establishing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) business in 2010, Statkraft has now secured over 500MW of contracted onshore wind PPAs and its Wind Equity Scheme will contribute to the company’s continued expansion.
The scheme will provide a new solution to developers of schemes between 7 and 20MW who have experienced financing problems at the consent stage and do not want to mortgage their land or sell out a majority of the project to a third party into order to finance the construction of their scheme.
Through the Wind Equity Scheme projects in this scenario would benefit from equity of up to 40% as well as a bankable Statkraft PPA and professional project management support.
Statkraft would be a minority partner in each participating project, allowing developers to retain control of their renewable asset while using the PPA to secure debt funding.
A UK wide search has now been launched to source interested parties for the scheme and Statkraft will in particular be targeting Scotland, where the natural wind resource is abundant. The company hopes to draw interest from renewable technology developers including landowners, farmers, community groups and small to medium businesses.
As well as launching its Wind Equity Scheme Statkraft is also poised to launch a new Energy Services Division, which will be headed up by Andy Cooper, who is joining Statkraft in November 2012 from GDF Suez, where he is currently Head of Sales. Statkraft will offer pure energy to large consumers with an emphasis on flexibility and the development of long term customer relations.
Speaking of Statkraft’s expansion plans, Statkraft’s CEO Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, said: "Statkraft has the ambition to remain the leading renewable energy provider in Europe and a driving force for renewable energy in the UK.
"Our latest developments will be significant positive additions to our UK business. We are aiming for continued growth and our new Energy Services is the natural progression in developing our UK business. Our Wind Equity Scheme will also play an important role. We believe there is a real funding gap to be filled in relation to developers whose projects need an innovative financial solution and this new co-investment model seeks to address this. It’s a new way of accelerating UK wind energy growth which will benefit smaller developers."