Holcim has confirmed it has taken a minority stake in BW Ideol, which specialises in floating offshore wind technology.
Holcim’s minority equity ownership will help BW Ideol scale up the construction of clean energy infrastructure projects. Through this agreement, the two companies will share a strategic partnership to supply innovative materials for two fabrication lines for floating foundations in Southern France and Northeast Scotland.
“We are delighted to be able to scale up BW Ideol’s best-in-class innovative designs and engineering of floating foundations for offshore wind, a key part of the energy transition,” Holcim regional head of West Europe Dragan Maksimovic said.
“Holcim’s proprietary technology for lightweight structural low-carbon concrete is ideal for offshore wind projects, and our partnership entails a local-for-local approach, benefiting local economies.”
BW Ideol has been working across the design, engineering and fabrication of offshore floating wind foundations for more than a decade. It has equity ownership in two floating wind projects in Scotland’s northeast coast (960MW capacity) and France’s southern coast (270MW capacity).
“We are thrilled to welcome Holcim as a strategic shareholder. This investment sends a powerful message to the floating offshore wind industry, confirming the maturity and deliverability of concrete foundation solutions,” BW Ideol chief executive officer Paul de la Guérivière said.
“With Holcim by our side, we’re making significant strides in our large-scale, concrete serial fabrication strategy. We are confident that this is the most effective way to achieve competitive costs and, ultimately, unlock the full potential of floating wind as an affordable, decarbonised renewable energy source.”
