Energy giant Shell announced the sale of its 50 percent stake in SouthCoast Wind Energy, a joint venture to develop wind projects off the coast of Massachusetts, to its partner Ocean Winds North America. The deal marks Shell’s exit from the offshore wind project.
The decision to sell stake comes amidst challenging business conditions for offshore wind developments, with various factors contributing to a slowdown in the sector throughout 2023. Rising inflation, increased borrowing costs, and supply chain disruptions have collectively driven up project expenses, prompting companies to reassess their commitments in the renewable energy space.
Notably, renewable energy firm Orsted suspended the development of two U.S. offshore wind projects last year, citing significant impairments exceeding $5 billion. The hurdles faced by Orsted underscore the financial strains confronting players in the offshore wind industry, Reuters news report said.
Earlier this year, European energy giants Equinor and BP terminated an agreement to supply power to New York state from their proposed Empire Wind 2 offshore wind farm. The decision reflects the complexities and uncertainties surrounding large-scale offshore wind projects, particularly in the face of regulatory, financial, and logistical challenges.
The SouthCoast Wind project, established in 2018 as a 50-50 joint venture between Shell and Ocean Winds North America, aimed to develop an offshore wind farm with a capacity of approximately 2,400 megawatts (MW). However, the divestment of Shell’s stake indicates a strategic shift in priorities amidst the evolving dynamics of the offshore wind market.