Renewable energy company Vårgrønn, a joint venture between Eni and HitecVision, has hired Equinor’s head of US wind and DNV’s director of renewable energy in the Nordic and Baltic countries
The company was launched by Eni and HitecVision in late 2020. Its aim is to develop green energy projects in Norway and the Nordic market. Forming the joint venture marked the start of a broader strategic co-operation between Eni and HitecVision, built on the foundations that led to the development of oil company Vår Energi.
As a first step, the company will pursue opportunities in the offshore wind sector by participating in the upcoming Norwegian tender processes for offshore licences, also supporting Vår Energi’s ambition to reduce its emissions through the electrification of its upstream assets.
Vårgrønn chief executive Olav Hetland said, “The recruitment of Christer Af Geijerstam as senior vice president offshore wind and Erik Dugstad as senior vice president public affairs and market analysis will give us even greater momentum going forward. They will be key in delivering Vårgrønn’s ambition of reaching an installed capacity of 1 GW of offshore wind by 2030.”
“Vårgrønn is a unique opportunity where I will be able to use my expertise and experience to help build a new and exciting company,” said Mr Af Geijerstam. “I have first-hand experience of how fast things are developing in offshore wind and look forward to starting work at in Vårgrønn. As a first step, I am excited to help the company position itself and help develop a Norwegian domestic market for offshore wind.”
Mr Dugstad has more than 20 years of experience with StatoilHydro, the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and most recently DNV.
“About 10 years ago, while working on the pilot for the Hywind floating windfarm, I encouraged the authorities to invest in the development of a Norwegian offshore wind industry. Ensuring favourable framework conditions and good collaboration between the actors and authorities are crucial for further developing Norway as a leading energy nation.”
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