Edda Wind teams up with Pon Power to reduce emissions

The first offshore wind farm was installed in 1991 and today the industry generates more than 50 GW of green energy. And demand is growing with a record 17,000+ megawatts of new projects commissioned in 2021.

“Offshore wind is in extreme expansion, and there is huge demand for our type of vessels,” said Kenneth Walland, Edda Wind’s chief executive. “We want to be a leading company, so we are being quite aggressive in increasing the size of our fleet.”

Edda Wind currently owns and operates two vessels, with another two entering service in Q1 2023. Eight new SOVs and CSOVs are under construction in Spain — each powered by three Cat 3512E marine engines provided by Cat dealer Pon Power in Norway.

Sustainability is crucial as customers demand attention to carbon neutrality hence Edda’s focus on working with suppliers such as Pon Power to ensure operation is as efficient as possible.

Caterpillar has designed a special configuration of 3500E engines to optimise for variable speed generator sets which can reduce emissions and fuel consumption by up to 30%.

The variable speed gensets also reduce structural and airborne noise, have a reported improved lifetime and increased maintenance intervals to reduce overall operational cost.

“Pon Power took on that challenge with us and being able to operate from variable speed has given us very fuel-efficient vessels,” said Walland.

“Today more than ever fuel is a high cost, and our customers are usually paying for the fuel, so it directly impacts them. And of course, less fuel equals fewer emissions.”