Germany-based EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is continuing its strategy of capturing growth in new international markets in the renewable energy sector. Following its recent entry into Taiwan, EnBW has now expanded its activities into the U.S. by establishing a regional subsidiary, EnBW North America, and forming a joint venture with Trident Winds Inc. to develop an offshore wind project off the coast of central California.
This represents the EnBW Group’s first step toward tapping into the high potential of the U.S. offshore wind market, the company says.
“EnBW will have a direct presence in this promising market to capture opportunities and to further build up EnBW’s offshore project portfolio,” says Dirk Güsewell, head of generation portfolio development at EnBW.
EnBW North America and Seattle-based Trident Winds Inc. have formed a joint venture to advance the 650 MW-1,000 MW Morro Bay offshore wind project off the central coast of California with a grid connection in Morro Bay. Together, both companies will work on the development of the large-scale floating offshore wind project. The initial focus of the joint venture is to obtain a site lease from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and to secure the grid connection, which became available following the shutdown of the Morro Bay power plant, says EnBW.
“Trident Winds welcomes the project development and the operational expertise of EnBW to bring the proposed Morro Bay project to a reality,” says Alla Weinstein, founder and CEO of Trident Winds Inc. “Successful projects require local knowledge; close interaction with stakeholders; detailed knowledge of permitting requirements; and extensive experience in offshore wind project design, construction and operation. The newly created joint venture brings all these elements together.”
