Successful Supplier Day with Wind Catching Systems

Together with Wind Catching Systems, GCE Ocean Technology invited industry participants to a Supplier Day at Straume Technology Centre in Øygarden.

Øygarden 29 October: A Supplier Day is a meeting arena where developers and suppliers come together to present upcoming projects, build connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration and deliveries.

Founded in 2017, Wind Catching Systems (WCS) aims to develop optimal solutions and designs for offshore wind power production.

The company has created the multi-turbine concept Windcatcher, which is scalable in size, offers high area efficiency, and significantly reduces operation and maintenance costs for floating wind. In 2023, the company received a license from Norwegian authorities to operate its turbine prototype.

The Supplier Day

The event gathered around fifty companies. Tom Georg Indrevik, Mayor of Øygarden Municipality, opened with a short address emphasizing both the local and global ripple effects this project could bring.

“We need the power, and we need the jobs. We must be first—acquire the knowledge first—so we can share it with the rest of the world,” was his clear message to participants.

The Wind Catching Demo concept is both innovative and forward-looking, and the project is being developed through early supplier involvement. Local and regional suppliers are encouraged to participate wherever available and competitive—both during project execution and later in the operation phase.

— The Supplier Day was a unique opportunity for local suppliers to connect directly with a company that can create significant ripple effects in the region, says Atle Dåvøy, Innovation Manager at GCE Ocean Technology.

The companies received information about the project, had their questions answered, and got the opportunity to meet WCS representatives in one-on-one sessions. The project will require a wide range of suppliers once construction begins, and WCS was praised for involving local businesses so early in the process.

It was very useful to be exposed to the project at such an early stage. It gave us valuable insight and helped us make informed assessments—not least, to see the broad industrial scope and supplier potential, says Henrik Magnussen from Kuehne + Nagel.

Mari Bjørnø, Manager Strategy & Business Development at Wind Catching Systems, says the day was very valuable for them:

— Through the one-on-one meetings, we had the opportunity to meet relevant players from Western Norway with expertise in offshore and maritime industries—exactly the kind of experience we need to realize our technology.

 She adds:

— The day helped strengthen relationships, identify potential partners, and create dialogue on how we can jointly build a new industry for floating offshore wind. We experienced great interest and engagement from suppliers, and received many useful insights that we’ll bring into the further development of Wind Catching Demo.

 We greatly appreciate the collaboration with GCE Ocean Technology and look forward to following up on the contacts established during the day.

This is a system the county follows with great interest, as it may positively contribute to achieving the ambitions in the Regional Plan for Renewable Energy, Tor Martin Misund, Senior Advisors Renewable Energy, Vestland County Council.

The Status of Offshore Wind in Norway

Jon Evang, Director for Offshore Wind at Fornybar Norge, presented the current status of offshore wind in Norway. In addition to outlining installed capacity and upcoming projects, he focused on the renewable industry’s mission—to help Norway become a future net-zero society based on renewable energy.

Norway has a national goal of 30 GW of wind power by 2040, but has so far only installed 101 MW (0.33%). The industry employs around 6,000 people, and Norwegian companies export offshore wind technology worth over NOK 50 billion annually—with Norwegian suppliers involved in over 90% of global offshore wind projects.

Jan Wigaard, Chief Engineer at Aibel, also provided an in-depth presentation of the history behind WCD, and the exciting journey from the idea and startup in 2017 to today’s solution.

Interested in us Hosting a Supplier Day for you?

If you need to organize a Supplier Day for your own projects, GCE Ocean Technology is ready to assist you. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a non-binding conversation — we’re here for you and your company.

Contact details for Atle Dåvøy can be found below.