Parkwind and NorSea have established an alliance with the intention to apply in the license round for offshore wind acreages in Norway.

The offshore wind alliance will contribute substantially to Norway’s ambitious goal to be a low-emission society and to be part of the energy transition in the European market.

Unique alliance

“Success in offshore wind is a team effort. Together with our Norwegian partners, we are able to offer a competitive value proposition by matching local expertise with over a decade of offshore wind experience”, comments Francois Van Leeuw, co-CEO of Parkwind.

With Parkwind the alliance brings extensive competence, network and value chain experience, through 10 years of experience in developing, financing, constructing and operating offshore wind farms in the European market.

Stavanger-based

With its focus on local value creation and content, the alliance will strengthen the Stavanger region’s ambitions and position as Norway’s energy capital.

“Our project will be run through a Norwegian company with headquarters and operations based in the Stavanger-region. We will benefit from NorSea’s 55 years of experience in the Norwegian offshore industry, as well as our valuable insights from other wind ventures both in the NorSea group and Parkwind’s extensive portfolio”, says John E. Stangeland, CEO of NorSea.

Strong combination

In addition to Parkwind and NorSea, the Wilhelmsen group as NorSea’s majority shareholder, is an active contributor to the alliance. The alliance’s combination of strong local industrial position together with extensive experience in offshore wind development, makes a considerable value-creation opportunity for all stakeholders.

“This is a complementary, industrial alliance with reputable parties combining local, national and international experience, expertise and capital, sharing the long-term renewable energy mission and complying with the highest environmental standards”, says Jan Eyvin Wang, Executive vice president for New Energy in the Wilhelmsen group.

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For questions or more information, please contact:

Vedran Horvat, Communication Officer Parkwind

(vedran.horvat@parkwind.eu, +32 471 63 82 01)

Aleksander Eikeberg, Communication Manager NorSea

(aleksander.eikeberg@norseagroup.com, +47 410 20 215)

About Norsea

NorSea has more than 55 years of history at the core of the Norwegian offshore industry. The company is a complete supplier of port services, base and logistics solutions to customers in both the oil and gas industry, the aquaculture industry, the wind industry, and other maritime industries. The NorSea Group currently operates nine offshore bases and port facilities along the coast of Norway, as well as bases in Denmark and the UK.

In recent years, NorSea has also built up an ever-increasing business in renewable industries such as offshore wind. Including a number of project assignments and service deliveries related to mobilization and project logistics, maintenance and modification services, hiring of technical personnel, marine support, etc.

In 2019, NorSea had a turnover of around NOK 2.1 billion and around 900 employees. NorSea is 75% owned by Wilh. Wilhelmsen and is thus an integral part of a large worldwide network within the maritime industry. Read more at https://norseagroup.com

About Wilhelmsen

Wilhelmsen is a global maritime industrial group founded in Tønsberg in 1861. Through the world’s largest maritime network with operations in more than 2 200 ports worldwide, Wilhelmsen sells products and services to more than half of the global merchant fleet. Wilhelmsen also operates and manages some of the most complex ships in the world. Wilhelmsen develops innovative and challenging solutions that shape the maritime industry through the use of technology and by investing in the energy transition and the green shift. With thousands of employees in over 60 countries, Wilhelmsen takes competence, sustainability, innovation and customer focus a step further. Read more at www.wilhelmsen.com

About Parkwind

Parkwind is an independent, family-owned company that develops, finances, and operates offshore wind farms. With more than a decade of experience and 771 MW under operational management in the Belgian North Sea, Parkwind is currently expanding internationally. With active projects at various stages of development in Germany and Ireland, Parkwind is set to add another 1.1 GW of capacity under its management.

Committed to making green energy available and affordable for everyone through its unique approach covering the entire value chain of offshore wind, Parkwind has established itself as a reliable and competitive partner to communities, governments and suppliers globally.

Composed of over 120 professionals operating from offices in Belgium and Ireland, Parkwind is focused on the offshore wind energy activities of its Belgian shareholder Virya, which is owned by the Colruyt Group and Korys. Learn more at www.parkwind.eu

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Maarten van der Horst

Head of Projects

Maarten joined Parkwind and more specifically the Oriel project team in early 2021. He brings 17 years of experience in the energy industry having worked at Engie's renewables arm first as an engineer, later as offshore specialist.

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Wim Verrept

IT Services Manager

He joined Parkwind in 2016 as risk manager, during the installation phase of Nobelwind. Since then his responsibilities have expanded to include IT and the QHSSE department. Before joining the company, he worked as a risk manager at large financial institution in Belgium.

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Ingrid Dony

HR Manager

Ingrid joined Parkwind in 2013 and manages the Human Resources department. Her expertise in corporate HR has created the foundations in Parkwind’s evolving and rapidly growing employee and consultant base. Her team manages everything from payroll to employee development and communications. She has been instrumental in preparing the organization for international expansion and the digitalization of numerous HR legal and administrative tools.

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Dirk Dewettinck

Head of R&D

At Parkwind since 2015 he manages the engineering resources involved in project development, design and construction. He was closely involved in the technical management of the Nobelwind and Northwester 2 projects. Prior to joining Parkwind, he was involved in other offshore wind projects, working for a major wind turbine supplier, and prior to that he worked for more than 15 years with major engineering contractors in projects around the world, mainly in the conventional power generation construction and services (steam, gas, nuclear).

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Clément Helbig de Balzac

Project Director Arcadis Ost 1

Joining Parkwind in 2011 as a project finance specialist and he was heavily involved in the financing and construction of Northwind and Nobelwind. Thereafter, as project finance manager, he led the financing process of Northwester 2 and the refinancing of three operational offshore wind farms of the Parkwind portfolio. He is also involved in business development projects for his expertise lies in financing processes, construction contract negotiation, contracting strategy and development and construction management.

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Edward Van Melkebeek

Head of Technology

Since joining Parkwind in 2018, he has been leading the Technology team responsible for leveraging Parkwind’s know-how in civil, electrical and WTG packages to development of new projects. The team also performs a supply chain role, managing technical aspects of project contracts. Previously, he has built extensive practical and managerial experience in the offshore construction business for over 22 years at a global leading dredging and offshore contractor strongly active in the offshore wind industry.

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Mathias Van Steenwinkel

Business Development Manager

He joined Parkwind in 2012 working on financial modelling, PPA negotiations and the overall financial close processes. Since 2016, he is heading the growing business development department playing a key role in the identification of new projects, global partnerships and tender preparations.

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Kristof Verlinden

O&M Manager

With Parkwind since 2010, he is responsible for the asset management and production management of all of Parkwind’s offshore operational assets. The O&M organization plays a pivotal role in project development incorporating strategic insight to ensure frictionless O&M operations from the moment of first production. The team also supplies external support services, is involved in numerous R&D initiatives with universities and wind farm performance analysis using state of the art data systems. Kristof joined Parkwind with an engineering background in international service support business and wind turbine driveline design validation.

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Pieter Marinus

General Counsel and Investment Relations Director

As a former Parkwind board member, he has been involved in the financial close and follow-up of every Parkwind project as well as in their acquisition and divestment processes. Prior to joining Parkwind’s management in 2017, he was also in charge of multiple other renewable energy investments and financings around Europe, notably as Investment Director at Korys.

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Peter Caluwaerts

Head of Engagement Management

After years of building extensive experience in large construction works, he started his career in offshore wind in 2010 by taking up the role of CLO of Parkwind, responsible for regulatory, legal and contracting matters for Belwind and Northwind windfarms. Since then, as Project Director, he’s led the Northwester 2 project completed in 2020 and is now responsible for Parkwind’s Irish projects Oriel and Clogherhead. He plays an instrumental role in organizing Parkwind’s international expansion and growth.

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Eric Antoons

co-CEO

Before joining the company in 2013, he worked for one of the largest power and gas suppliers in Belgium, in both operational and executive functions. Joining Parkwind in 2013 as COO, he supervised the construction of three wind farm projects and the considerable growth of O&M activities. Since becoming co-CEO in 2016, he has also developed Parkwind’s R&D activities to the forefront partnering with universities and several technology start-ups.

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François Van Leeuw

co-CEO

He joined Parkwind as CFO in 2009 and has been leading the financing and development of Parkwind's first wind farms. In his role he’s particularly involved in new business and partnership development for Parkwind globally. He is also serving as the chairman of the Belgian Offshore Platform, the non-profit association of investors and owners of Belgian wind farms.

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Paul Tummers

CFO

Arriving to Parkwind in 2019, after a broad career in energy and infrastructure, he has taken a leading role in Parkwind’s international expansion from both corporate finance and organizational restructuring.