Areva, STX France team up on offshore wind foundations

Dec 14, 2012 - French nuclear energy group Areva (EPA:AREVA) and STX France SA, part of shipbuilding group STX Europe AS, today said they had agreed to work together to optimise offshore wind turbine foundations.

The cooperation deal will combine Areva's knowledge in designing and manufacturing wind turbines and STX France's experience in specialised offshore foundations, the announcement says. Under the agreement, the companies will seek to make joint wind turbine and foundation offers for major projects in Europe. STX France will have responsibility for the design of foundations as well as for their complete or partial production.

The manufacturing, logistics and installation expenses related to foundations and turbine towers account for nearly one third of the investment costs of offshore wind farms and their optimisation could contribute significantly to reducing overall project costs, the companies say.

Areva Renewables chief executive Louis-Francois Durret said the partnership would help strengthen the competitiveness of the French manufacturing base in the French offshore wind market as well as for export.

STX Europe is part of South Korean holding company STX Corporation Co Ltd (KRX:011810).

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