Several European countries will be investing heavily in offshore wind over the coming years. Norwegian company Origo Solutions is receiving help from Innovation Norway to position itself in the market.
This investment in offshore wind is part of Innovation Norway’s High Potential Opportunities (HPO) programme for major export initiatives. The goal is to position Norwegian developers and suppliers so that they are able to win large contracts in the offshore wind markets found in France, Spain, Germany, the UK, Poland and Denmark.
“Companies in the HPO programme receive a package of services over a certain period of time and the opportunity to be part of a ‘national team’. We work very closely with the embassies, Norwep, the clusters and the business support system - and we work as a Team Norway out in the markets. This provides incredible strength when facing international competition”, says Eli Wærum Rognerud, Head of the HPO Programme at Innovation Norway.
Plans on becoming huge
Origo Solutions from Kristiansand is one of the companies that has received assistance through the programme. The technology company creates digital solutions that monitor offshore wind farms, so-called SCADA systems.
“We want to take a large share of the market when it comes to the large control systems within the field of wind energy, especially offshore wind, and become a recognised supplier. We are also looking at other markets such as solar energy and aquaculture”, says Rune Reinertsen, Marketing Director at Origo Solutions.
The company is well on its way. They have delivered a control system to the world’s first floating wind farm, Hywind Scotland, and are in the process of supplying systems to the world’s largest fixed foundation wind farm, Dogger Bank. The focus is all about data-driven and holistic management, where traditional and operational technology is connected with information technology for smarter and safer production.
A small business like us is completely dependent on getting help to make contacts, so that we get a foot in the door and can introduce ourselves to relevant actors.
Getting help to make contacts
Innovation Norway and Team Norway have provided the company with advisory services and sparring related to their international strategy, and have been helped in markets such as the UK, Germany, Poland and France. Innovation Norway also contributed during an early phase of the technology development.
“The funding was very useful for the development of the product, but the advice and international network of contacts provided by Innovation Norway and Norwep is perhaps even more important. A small business like us is completely dependent on getting help to make contacts, so that we get a foot in the door and can introduce ourselves to relevant actors. It would have taken huge amounts of time and resources if we had to do all of this by ourselves”, says Reinertsen, emphasising:
“Being part of Team Norway when participating in delegations and exhibitions is invaluable.”
Contributing to growth and value creation
The technology company, which was established in 2011 following a merger, has extensive experience in developing safety and automation solutions for both offshore and onshore facilities. The SCADA system they have created for floating offshore wind farms tracks all types of data and gives operators full control over ballast, weather, anchor monitoring and other auxiliary systems.
“Working together with such an innovative company as Origo Solutions is a great pleasure. Innovation Norway supports projects that contribute to growth and value creation in Norway and abroad”, says Jon Arne Rasmussen, Senior Advisor at Innovation Norway Agder.