Dong Energy links up with developer of Canadian offshore wind project

Denmark's Dong Energy A/S (CPH:DENERG) has today signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Naikun Wind Energy Group (CVE:NKW), the company behind a proposed offshore wind project in British Columbia.

The offshore wind major said the LoI gives it exclusive rights to negotiate a joint development agreement for the Haida Energy Field offshore wind project and explore the potential for forming a long-term partnership with Naikun.

The site is in Hecate Strait, between Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert on the British Columbia mainland, and, according to the announcement, has some of the strongest, most-consistent winds in the world. The water is shallow, so the project would use bottom-fixed turbines.

"We see this opportunity as a first step to bringing offshore wind power to Canada in what could become a strategic partnership with the nation’s front-runner project," said Thomas Brostrom, president for Dong Energy Wind Power North America.

In a separate news release, Naikun said the project has the Environmental Assessment Certificates from the provincial and federal governments for its first phase of 300 MW to 400 MW. When approved, the facility would be built and commissioned in three years. The company added that there is a potential for more than 2 GW of capacity in Hecate Strait.

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