AUGUSTA November 17th, 2009 - Governor John E. Baldacci today escorted executives from Statoil around the State as part of a visit of officials from the Norwegian company. Statoil is working with the University of Maine on potential offshore wind power development.
Company officials, including the head of Statoil’s wind power business development, came to Maine to see firsthand the existing capacity and infrastructure, interest and commitment of the State and private partners to develop wind power off Maine’s coast. The tour showcased the Cianbro Eastern Manufacturing Facility in Brewer, the Fox Islands Community Wind Project on Vinalhaven, Brunswick Naval Air Station and Bath Iron Works.
Representing Statoil were Knut Aanstad, Head of Business Development for Wind Power; Sjur Bratland, Asset Manager Hywind; and Knut Erik Steen, Technical Manager, Hywind.
Governor Baldacci, with a Maine delegation including Dr. Habib Dagher, Director of the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, visited Statoil’s deep water wind turbine in the North Sea on Sept. 25. At that time, Statoil’s interest in working with the University of Maine was formalized with the signing of a letter of intent.
“Today’s visit from Statoil is a critical next step in growing the relationship we established with them just two months ago. I am pleased that the company has shown an interest in investing in Maine and in working with our private partners in the State,” said Governor Baldacci.
“We have been creating partnerships at all levels as we pursue our aggressive goal to end our dependence on fossil fuels,” said the Governor. “That’s why I led a wind power trade mission to Europe, improved regional cooperation, and worked with the Maine Legislature to make the investments and address hurdles to growing renewable energy.”
Maine is viewed as a leader in the nation in the pursuit of renewable energy development. The State was recognized in October by the U.S. Department of Energy for its leadership in wind energy research and technology with a $8 million investment to the University of Maine and its consortium to invest in the development of deepwater off-shore wind. The initial research represents the foundation of an effort to ultimately achieve 5 gigawatts of wind power by 2030. Maine has the potential to create and maintain more than 15,000 jobs over the 20 years through the 5 gigawatt plan.
“My administration has worked with the State Legislature, Maine’s Congressional delegation and our private sector partners to build the foundation for off-shore wind power,” said the Governor. “This is an important part of our overall goal to increase our energy independence and security, provide good-paying jobs and promote clean, renewable, home-grown energy development in Maine.”
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