NovaWind will consolidate Rosatom’s innovative technology programs in the new energy segment. At the initial stage, NovaWind will bring together all wind generation assets owned by Rosatom. The company will acquire Rosatom’s indirect subsidiary VetroSGC, which is responsible for the wind generation business of the state nuclear corporation. VetroSGC has been involved in the 970 MW wind farm construction project since 2016 and is now launching the largest wind turbine localization program in Russia. NovaWind will acquire OTEK’s rights under the license agreement with Lagerwey and become its partner in the joint venture that will produce wind generator components in Russia. The thermal power business of OTEK will become a separate business unit.
Alexander Korchagin was appointed CEO of the new company. “The successful entry into domestic and international wind energy markets as well as the development of new products largely depends on full concentration of managerial efforts on the success of currently implemented energy programs. To meet these challenging goals, we have to obtain and develop a number of core competences, which are absolutely new to Russia. Among them there are construction and operational management of wind farms, production of wind turbines, maintenance, after-sales support, marketing and sales. Considering the international cooperation with Lagerwey, we need to spin off have to separate our wind energy program into a new dedicated business,” Alexander Korchagin said while commenting on the foundation of NovaWind.
He said that OTEK’s management team achieved the goals set by Rosatom. “We’ve successfully implemented an effective business management model: it took us three years to double the profitability of Rosatom’s thermal power assets. Now we have to concentrate all our efforts on new energy projects,” Alexander Korchagin noted.
Wind in demand
Earlier VetroSGC and Lagerwey (Holland) jointly took part in HUSUM Wind 2017 in Germany. It is one of the most reputable marketing venues bringing together global leaders of the wind generation industry. “НUSUM Wind gives us a perfect chance to demonstrate how serious our partnership is and how committed we are to bringing Russian hi-tech products to the global market,” said Emin Askerov, Deputy CEO and Director for Development and International Business at OTEK (VetroSGC management company).
According to Sjoerd Sieburgh Sjoerdsma, Lagerwey’s Director for Licensing and Ventures, it is important for Russian to quickly obtain competencies in the new industry and start serial production. He noted that many countries engaged in the development of wind generation strive to invest in producing wind turbines locally, rather than in importing them from abroad. “I am sure that Lagerwey wind generators manufactured in Russia will be sought after in Russia and neighboring countries. It is important for us to show the market that we are committed to success of the program,” Sjoerd Sjoerdsma said.
Local production will start with 2.5 MW generators. The plans for the future are to produce 4 MW turbines, which are currently tested by Lagerwey. According to the global forecast, wind generators with a capacity of 2.5–5 MW will be used mostly on the on-shore sites.
Non-nuclear points of growth
Wind surveys will soon be held at potential sites for the wind park construction project along the Black Sea coast in the Krasnodar Territory. In 2016, Rosatom won a contract to construct three wind farms with a total capacity of 610 MW in Adygea and Krasnodar. Following the renewable energy tender held this June, Rosatom won a new contract to build additional 360 MW of wind capacity. According to the first estimations the project will create nearly 1,000 new jobs in Russia’s Southern Federal District.
