Ahead of the Husum Wind trade fair, Q ENERGY presents ambitious plans regarding its wind business. Building on more than 1 GW of installed and/or developed capacity in France, new wind markets such as Germany, Portugal and Spain are to be entered across Europe over the next months.
Q ENERGY is not only focusing on new locations but is also one of the pioneers for repowering in France. With the Souleilla-Corbières wind farm, its first repowering project is nearing completion and a lot more will follow. Nearly 160 MW are already authorized, more than 400 MW are under development and 5 repowering partnerships have been signed. Following Souleilla-Corbières, 4 new projects are already set to be launched between 2023 and 2024 for a total installed capacity of 56 MW.
Sang Chull Chung, CEO of Q ENERGY, says: “We are proud to be one of the key wind developers in France and will now use our many years of experience to expand Q ENERGY’s position to other European markets – mainly Germany, Portugal and Spain. In doing so, we are working on our own greenfield projects as well as in cooperation with other developers. Utilising our strong solar footprint in these markets, hybrid projects including wind and energy storage systems will be a strategic business for Q ENERGY going forward.”
Offshore wind: Utilising synergies with partners and within Hanwha Group
Q ENERGY has been active in the French offshore wind market for over a decade. Together with Ailes Marines, the company co-developed the 500 MW Saint-Brieuc wind farm off the coast of Brittany. As part of the Océole partnership, Q ENERGY is also currently pre-qualified to bid for three French offshore tenders totalling around 1.75 GW on the Atlantic coast and in the Mediterranean Sea. Intensive preparations are being made for participation in further European tenders in countries such as Germany and Portugal.
Q ENERGY is a member of the Global Fortune 500 company Hanwha Group and will as such not only utilise its own know-how but also leverage group synergies. After Hanwha’s recent acquisition of one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, now called Hanwha Ocean, the two companies are already investigating potentials for cooperation in the field of wind turbine installation vessels (WTIV).
Sang Chull Chung, CEO of Q ENERGY, explains: “Today, there is only a limited number of specialised vessels available to install offshore wind turbines worldwide. As a result, WTIVs are a crucial and highly valued asset for the expansion of offshore wind energy. Hanwha Ocean has the necessary skills and capacity to build these vessels. Q ENERGY brings the development and project management experience. Possible synergies with Hanwha Ocean but also with relevant external players in the offshore field, therefore, play a key role in Q ENERGY’s ambitions in the offshore market.”
