The Canary Islands Maritime Cluster signs a cooperation agreement with the Norwegian Offshore Wind Energy Cluster at OTD Energy 2021 in Stavanger 22 de October de 2021 – Posted in: Offshore

The presence of the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster (CMC) this week at the international Offshore Technology Days (OTD Energy 2021) fair, held in the Norwegian city of Stavanger, has culminated in the signing of a key cooperation agreement for the future development of projects of offshore wind power on the islands. The Canarian cluster has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Norwegian Offshore Wind Cluster (NOWC) entity.

The purpose of the agreement is to establish a collaborative framework to strengthen the supply chain in future offshore wind projects, both in the Canary Islands and in Norway.

Gran Canaria has been present, with its stand, at OTD Energy 2021, thanks to the support of the Society for the Economic Promotion of Gran Canaria, SPEGC, under the “Best in Gran Canaria” initiative. The fair, held on October 19, 20, and 21, is considered one of the most important offshore renewable energy fairs in the world. From that stand, the representatives of the CMC and the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN), Carmen Muñoz, and Alejandro Romero and Nadia Achargui, respectively, informed businessmen and researchers in the sector about the support offered by “Best in Gran Canaria” to the already consolidated companies and entrepreneurs who are studying to settle on the island. In addition, they made known both the potential and capabilities of the Canarian business fabric and the singularities of PLOCAN, aimed at promoting the development of knowledge and technologies for the responsible and sustainable use of the ocean.

NOWC has identified Spain as an attractive market for Norway, where it has already established a working group dedicated to positioning the Norwegian supply chain in the emerging Spanish wind market. Einar Tolaksvik, leader of this working group, stated that “Norway and Spain are two maritime nations that have a lot to contribute to the development of the offshore wind industry. After the two leading test centers in floating renewable technology (MET CENTER and PLOCAN) have signed a cooperation agreement in their day, we are confident that this new MoU will guarantee strong supply chains for both countries. ”

“We hope that OTD Energy 2021 can be the starting point to implement this MoU between stakeholders on both sides. It is, therefore, a pleasure to join our friends from the Canaries and make it easier for them to connect to the Norwegian supplier industry, to boat owners and contractors, “adds Tolaksvik.

In her words, the CMC representative at OTD Energy 2021, Carmen Muñoz, stated the following: “We consider that the Canarian business fabric must provide synergies with the Norwegian renewable energy sector, which allows us to diversify our activities towards an emerging sector in our archipelago such as offshore wind energy. The Canary Islands Maritime Cluster integrates activities, such as port logistics or ship repair, very interested in the possibilities offered by this MoU “.

“The Norwegian presence in the Canary Islands is evident, so there have always been fraternal links between Norway and the Canary Islands that have made it possible for this project to be easily consolidated by both parties. For us, it is a country with which we feel comfortable. We understand that this MoU will serve as a tool to continue working with Norwegian companies “, concludes CMC manager Elba Bueno.

“The agreement we have just signed offers us great opportunities to achieve the goal of achieving a stronger supply chain for floating offshore wind energy between the two countries and for the rest of the world,” said Arvid Nesse, director of NOWC.

The NOWC is a Norwegian association that aims to be one of the world’s strongest supply chains worldwide. It currently has more than 300 member companies capable of assisting any offshore wind project.
The CMC is a business group whose main objective is to promote the development and international competitiveness of the maritime sector of the Canary Islands through the integration, creation, strengthening, and sustainability of companies and agents that are within the sector’s value chain. maritime, promoting its international presence and increasing its technology and innovative level.

OTD Energy 2021