#75 How Statkraft is renewing the way the world is powered (with Henrik Sætness)
Oct 7, 2024
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Henrik Sætness, Executive Vice President at Statkraft and a key figure in renewable energy, shares valuable insights on revolutionizing energy production. He discusses the company's strategic shift from hydro to a diverse focus on wind and solar across 20 countries. Sætness highlights the challenges posed by geopolitical events, particularly the implications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration to tackle complex issues in energy production and the evolving opportunities in offshore wind and sustainable investments.
Statkraft has shifted its focus towards wind and solar energy, reflecting a broader trend in the renewable energy sector's evolution and cost-effectiveness.
The company's proactive investment in flexible energy solutions like solar with battery storage addresses market fluctuations and rising global energy demands.
Deep dives
Startkraft's Strategic Shift Towards Renewables
Startkraft has undergone a significant strategic shift to embrace renewable energy, moving away from its traditional focus on hydropower. By the end of the 2010s, the company recognized the increasing complexity and challenges in global hydropower projects and initiated a new direction in 2018 aimed at expanding its investments in wind and solar energy. This adaptation reflects a broader trend in the energy sector, where renewable sources are becoming increasingly cost-effective and prevalent, transforming how power is produced. Startkraft's commitment to capturing momentum in the wind and solar markets positions it as a forward-thinking leader amidst the evolving global energy landscape.
Global Renewable Energy Operations and Market Presence
Startkraft operates across roughly 20 countries, with Norway being its primary market, while also maintaining a significant presence in several European countries and selective markets in South America and India. The company manages a diverse portfolio that includes hydropower, onshore and offshore wind, solar energy, batteries, and even EV charging infrastructure in several regions, including Germany and the UK. By acquiring Enerfin, a Spanish renewable energy company, Startkraft enhances its operational strength in key markets such as Spain and Brazil, showcasing its strategic focus on deepening its market understanding and operational foothold. This integrated operation model allows Startkraft to leverage scale while catering to the unique energy demands of each region.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Renewable Energy Sector
The renewable energy sector faces several challenges, including unpredictable market fluctuations, as evidenced by price volatility following geopolitical events such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, investment in renewable energy continues to grow, with substantial anticipated financial commitments earmarked for this sector in the coming years. Startkraft's response to market dynamics has been to prioritize investments in flexible and complex energy solutions, such as combining solar with battery storage and developing hydrogen technologies. This proactive approach is critical for maintaining competitiveness and resilience amidst rising global energy demands and evolving political landscapes.
In this episode we sit down with Henrik Sætness, Executive Vice President of EVP Corporate Staff at Statkraft, to explore the company's strategies in the renewable energy space. Henrik shares insights on global energy trends, the challenges of scaling operations across multiple countries, and how Statkraft is moving forward with wind, solar, and hydropower.
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