Today’s renewable energy news includes announcements on RWE’s new chairman, Sojitz investment in GPSR-IOCL Biomethane Platform, RWE to construct 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea
RWE names Frank Appel as new Chairman
Following RWE’s Annual General Meeting, Dr. Werner Brandt stepped down after 12 years as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. CEO Dr. Markus Krebber praised his significant role in RWE’s transformation and thanked him for his service. The Supervisory Board elected Dr. Frank Appel as the new Chairman. Michael Vassiliadis was named Deputy Chairman, succeeding Ralf Sikorski.
Additionally, five Supervisory Board members were re-elected: Dr. Hans Bünting, Dr. Monika Kircher, Thomas Kufen, Hauke Stars, and Helle Valentin. Dr. Stefan Schulte joined the Supervisory Board for the first time.
Sojitz investment in GPSR-IOCL Biomethane Platform
Sojitz Corporation has made a strategic investment in the GPSR-IOCL Biomethane Platform, a joint venture between GPS Renewables Private Limited (GPSR) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL), which focuses on designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining biomethane plants in India. This investment marks Sojitz’s entry into biomethane production and sales in the country.
Sojitz will collaborate with IOC GPS Renewables (IGRPL), a joint venture between GPSR and IOCL, to develop biomethane production facilities using agricultural waste as feedstock. IGRPL plans to build 30 biomethane plants by FY 2026-2027, with a total annual production capacity of 160,000 tons of biomethane. The total investment for these projects exceeds USD 400 million. EY acted as the exclusive M&A investment banker, and Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, led by Partner Alok Sonkar, served as the transaction advisor for GPS Renewables.
RWE to constructing 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea
RWE has made a significant advancement in constructing the 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm in the Danish North Sea with the successful installation of the first of 72 monopile foundations. These monopiles, weighing up to 1,500 metric tons each, were shipped from Eemshaven, Netherlands, to the construction site off the west coast of Jutland. The installation was carried out by the vessel Les Alizes.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, highlighted the importance of this milestone, marking the beginning of Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm. The project will feature sustainable elements, such as CO2-reduced steel towers and recyclable rotor blades for 40 turbines.
The wind farm is expected to be fully operational by 2027, providing green electricity to over one million Danish households. Construction of a new service building at the Port of Thorsminde, which will create 50-60 local jobs, is underway and set to be completed by 2025.
RWE, a global leader in offshore wind, has 19 offshore wind farms in operation and is also developing other major projects such as the Sofia, OranjeWind, and Nordseecluster wind farms. Additionally, Norges Bank Investment Management recently acquired a 49% stake in the Thor and Nordseecluster projects.
GreentechLead.com News Desk