Statkraft’s venture in the UK is being noticed, even at the top echelon of British politics. Last week, Statkraft received an invitation to meet at one of the most famous street addresses in the world – 10 Downing Street. On Monday, Executive Vice President of European Affairs, Oluf Ulseth, got on the plane to London to meet Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Ed Milliband and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Peter Mandelson.

“It was a good discussion,” Ulseth says.
 “Our message highlighted the significance of long-term and predictable framework conditions and a well-functioning energy market. Furthermore, I emphasized the importance of coordinated and predictable licensing processes. This was also a great opportunity to raise the significance a connecting cable between the UK and Norway can have to balance the large amounts of wind energy which are planned for the coming years.”

Active in the UK

The reason why Statkraft was invited as the sole Norwegian representative, is probably both our position as the European leader within renewable energy, and that the company has  been very active in both the second and third offshore wind energy licensing rounds in the UK.   
”We started as being a completely unknown player, and now Statkraft is starting to attain a position in the UK market. The invitation must be regarded as a recognition of what we have achieved in the UK in recent years,” Oluf Ulseth says.

Statkraft and Statoil have started constructing the offshore wind farm Sheringham Shoal, off the English coast. In January it was also announced that Statkraft and Statoil, along with two British partners, had won the right to develop the offshore wind zone Dogger Bank, which alone represents a potential for 9000 megawatts. Statkraft also recently was granted licenses for several onshore wind farms in the UK.

Ambitious goals

The British have ambitious goals for the development of renewable energy, and have also set a goal for at least a 34 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

“The British government is very focused on how to meet the future energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is why they wanted input on what is required to make companies interested in investing in eco-friendly solutions,” Oluf Ulseth concludes.