Green Investment Group reaches close on second Norwegian wind project, securing local construction jobs and a long-term power purchase agreement

Macquarie’s Green Investment Group (GIG) has announced financial close on Tysvaer Wind Farm, its second onshore wind farm to reach financial close this month. Located in the Tysvaer municipality, within Rogaland Fylke, southern Norway, the 47 MW onshore wind development will use 11 Siemens Gamesa turbines producing 150 GWh of green energy annually. Tysvaer Wind Farm will be the third GIG project using Siemens Gamesa technology currently under construction in the Nordics, totalling more than 325 MW.

The Tysvaer project will form part of a portfolio of three Nordic wind projects – alongside the Buheii windfarm in Norway and the Hornamossen windfarm in Sweden. By using this innovative portfolio financing structure, GIG has been able to reduce financing costs – enabling the project teams to prioritise local content and deliver competitively priced energy.

It was announced in January that the Tysvaer project would provide power to Eramet Norway, ensuring a stable and long-term power supply to Eramet Norway’s Norwegian smelters. With an electricity demand of more than 2 TWh per annum, the company relies on long-term and predictable power conditions to ensure stable and efficient operation in its processing plants in Porsgrunn, Sauda and Kvinesdal.

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is backed by a guarantee issued under the Power Purchase Guarantee Scheme administered by The Norwegian Export Credit Guarantee Agency (GIEK). The Scheme aims to ensure that Norwegian industrial companies with high electricity demands can enter into long-term power contracts at a predictable price.

In addition to supporting Norwegian industry, GIG is using a number of Norwegian supply chain companies to deliver Tysvaer, bringing new investment into the region and supporting high-value jobs throughout the project’s construction and operations. Around 200 jobs will be supported during the construction of both Tysvaer and Buheii. Nordisk Vindkraft will act as construction manager and local company RISA AS will be responsible for building the roads, turbine foundations and installing the electric cables.

Risa AS have developed a site plan to avoid the spread of coronavirus, and a dedicated staff member will ensure that all new Government regulations related to coronavirus are adhered to.

When Tysvaer Wind Farm is fully operational, it will produce enough low-carbon electricity to power the equivalent of 8,803 Norwegian homes per year. Annually, it will displace an estimated 7,000 tonnes CO₂e emissions^[1] – supporting Norway in its goal of becoming a ‘low carbon society’ by 2050 and achieving ‘emissions neutrality’ by 2030.

Edward Northam, Head of Green Investment Group Europe, said: “This is our second financial close on a Norwegian project this month, showing our continued commitment to accelerating the transition to a greener global economy. Our Norwegian projects will provide up to 200 jobs over the next year and demonstrate the role that renewable energy projects can play in supporting rural economies – providing construction jobs as well as affordable power for energy-intensive businesses.”

Macquarie Group, which owns GIG, is one of the world’s largest investors in renewable energy having invested or arranged over $A8 billion in FY19 in clean energy projects around the world. Macquarie has had a presence in Europe for over 30 years, having opened its London headquarters in 1989. To date, GIG and its operating platforms have delivered 3GW of projects backed by PPAs around the world.

Bjørn Kolbjørnsen, CEO of Eramet Norway, said: “With our ambitions for industrial development and increased value creation in Norway, we need access to renewable energy. The agreement with GIG is therefore a valuable diversification of our portfolio of power contracts and a key contribution to Eramet sustainable development roadmap.”