The directors of NorthWind and ForWind (a German wind energy research centre) signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint offshore wind energy research on 22 May, in the presence of a delegation of German dignitaries.
John Olav Tande leads FME NorthWind but was signing the document in his capacity as a Chief Scientist at SINTEF Energy Research. His counterpart was Managing Director of ForWind Dr Stephan Barth. Also present were the German Ambassador Dr. Detlef Wächter, and the Lower Saxony delegation: Minister President Stephan Weil, Minister for Economic Affairs Olaf Lies, and State Secretary for Science Prof. Dr. Joachim Schachtner.
Signatory partners hope, within the framework of this cooperation, to identify opportunities for European and Norwegian-German research cooperation in the field of offshore wind energy. The signing of this agreement constitutes a step towards the development of a European Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind Energy, which would promote and enable research collaboration between European countries to achieve ambitious offshore wind targets. It would ensure a better coordination of research activities, and more efficient use of resources.
The Centre of Excellence would also act as a hub for the education and training of the skilled workers and offshore wind power experts that will be needed for this growing industry.
ForWind is the Joint Centre for Wind Energy Research of the Universities of Oldenburg, Hannover and Bremen.
