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Parkwind makes bid for Bass Strait offshore wind energy projects

published on 01/06/2023

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Parkwind makes bid for Bass Strait offshore wind energy projects

Global offshore wind developer Parkwind has announced its submission of a joint bid with Australian energy producer Beach Energy as part of the Commonwealth Government’s process for granting Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Feasibility Licences for potential offshore wind projects in the Bass Strait off the coast of Gippsland in Victoria.

Pioneer of the offshore wind sector in Europe, Parkwind, is currently operating 1GW of offshore wind parks across Belgium and Germany. The company, based in Leuven (Belgium), has rapidly expanded internationally with active development projects in Ireland, Norway, Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.

The Belgian developer brings over a decade of applied experience developing and operating offshore wind energy generation projects. The company’s multi-disciplinary teams have applied a number of world-leading innovations to challenging offshore conditions. e.g., the pioneering use of the world’s first floating heavy lift technique to install turbines at the Arcadis Ost 1 wind farm the company is constructing in the Baltic Sea (Germany).

With offshore gas infrastructure in the Bass Strait, Beach Energy brings its offshore operations capability to the joint bid, which presents an opportunity to participate in the first stages of the offshore wind industry in Australia. Beach has extensive experience operating in the harsh Bass Strait environment, installing highly technical infrastructure, working with offshore regulators, and engaging with communities. Such experience is highly complementary to the world class and global leadership in offshore wind expertise that Parkwind brings to the table.

François Van Leeuw, Co-CEO of Parkwind, commented: “We are looking forward to working with Beach Energy on the Gippsland developments. With our offshore wind expertise and Beach Energy’s proven track record in Australian offshore operations, we bring a world-leading solution to support Victoria’s and by extension, Australia’s green energy ambitions. With this strong team, we are confident in bringing the best of offshore wind to the region.”

Victoria is leading Australia’s offshore wind development aspirations with the first offshore wind licencing rounds as part of a plan to exit coal-fired generation and utilise existing high-capacity grid infrastructure. The awards are expected to be announced by the end of 2023.

Parkwind has identified Australia as a strategic market to grow its offshore wind energy generation portfolio. The Belgian developer is assessing suitable wind energy generation sites in zones the Commonwealth Government of Australia plans for future licencing rounds.

About Parkwind

Parkwind is an independent green energy 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 expanding internationally. With active projects at various stages of development, Parkwind is present in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Greece, and Australia/New Zealand.

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 140 professionals, Parkwind leads the offshore wind energy activities of its Belgian shareholder Virya, which is owned by the Colruyt Group and Korys. On 22 March 2023, Virya signed an agreement with JERA for the sale of 100% of its shares in Parkwind. Closing of the transaction is expected later this year and is subject to customary conditions relating to approval by the relevant competition and other regulatory authorities.

About Beach Energy

Beach Energy is an ASX listed, exploration and production company headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1961, Beach today has oil and gas production in five basins across Australia and New Zealand and is a key supplier of gas into the Australian East Coast market.

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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.