Siemens will become shareholder (49 percent) in A2SEA A/S, a supplier of
installation services for the construction of offshore wind farms. The Danish
energy company, DONG Energy, will continue to be the main shareholder of the
company. A2SEA in Fredericia, Denmark, employs about 200 people. Siemens´ goal
of the engagement in A2SEA is to advance the industrialization of offshore wind
power. A2SEA will now look into the possibility of expanding its installation
capacity.
Siemens is a global leader in the rapidly growing offshore wind segment. “With
our investment in A2SEA, we are showing our clear commitment to strengthening
the future of the offshore wind industry,” said Wolfgang Dehen, CEO of the
Siemens Energy Sector. “It is our aim to foster the industrialization of
offshore wind power. Together with Siemens, A2SEA can build optimized vessels
for the installation of offshore wind turbines. Optimization of ships as well
as processes will result in higher efficiency, shorter installation times and
enhanced customer value,” Dehen added.
Niels Bergh-Hansen, Executive Vice President at DONG Energy and Chairman of the
Board at A2SEA, said: "I am very delighted that Siemens is to become an equity
partner in A2SEA. Siemens' participation in A2SEA will strengthen the company
and the realization of the strategy to offer superior offshore installation
services to the company's customers."
The investment agreement is subject to the approval from anti-trust
authorities. Closing of the agreement is expected in Q4 2010. The subscription
amount to be paid by Siemens for the new shares in A2SEA is approximately DKK
860 mill. (EUR 115 mill.), which will be paid in two instalments in 2010 and
2011.
The potential for offshore wind in Europe is estimated at around 100 gigawatts
which equal two thirds of the power plant capacity currently installed in
Germany. At present, only approximately two percent of that potential is being
utilized. Offshore wind will play an important role in achieving Europe´s CO2
reduction goals. Today, UK is by far the most important offshore wind market
but also offshore projects in Germany are gaining momentum. Besides that
countries like France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Finland and Norway are
thinking about offshore wind power. “Outside of Europe, we see good
opportunities for offshore - especially in China with its shallow water near
the consumption centers on the coast as well as in the U.S., where Siemens
already has entered the market being selected for the Cape Wind project,” said
Dehen.
The information provided in this announcement will not change DONG Energy's
previous financial guidance for the financial year 2010 or the expected
investment level.
For additional information, please contact:
DONG Energy
Media Relations
Andreas Krog
+45 9955 2023
DONG Energy
Investor Relations
Morten Hultberg Buchgreitz
+45 9955 9750
Siemens AG
Energy Sector
Media Relations
Alfons Benzinger
+49 9131 18 7034
DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. We are
headquartered in Denmark. Our business is based on procuring, producing,
distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. We
have approximately 6,000 employees and generated just under DKK 50 billion (EUR
6.6 billion) in revenue in 2009. For further information, see
www.dongenergy.com
The Siemens Energy Sector is the world's leading supplier of a complete
spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission
and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of
oil and gas. In fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had
revenues of approximately EUR25.8 billion and received new orders totaling
approximately EUR30 billion and posted a profit of EUR3.3 billion. On September
30, 2009, the Energy Sector had a work force of more than 85,100. Further
information is available at: www.siemens.com/energy