KK Group has announced the acquisition of PowerCon A/S, a Danish engineering and manufacturing company with strong maritime roots that specializes in power conversion technology for the maritime, wind and battery energy storage industries. The acquisition will create growth opportunities for KK Group by unlocking new markets and strengthening its capabilities in modularized, high-power converters and testing solutions.

PowerCon’s shore power technology allows ships to plug into electrical grids and turn off diesel engines while at berth in harbors. Replacing highly polluting marine fuel with shore power from renewables can support the necessary decarbonization of the global maritime industry through electrification.

“PowerCon’s unique shore power technology coupled with its clear mission and skilled team is perfectly aligned with KK Group’s purpose, Powering Change towards a more sustainable tomorrow. PowerCon has over many years proven to be a highly successful and value-driven partner and through this acquisition, we will leverage PowerCon’s skills and technologies to unlock new growth opportunities and support the electrification of the global maritime industry for the benefit of customers, society, and the environment,” said Mauricio Quintana, CEO of KK Group.

PowerCon has its roots in the wind industry, where it developed fully modularized converter solutions and unique testing capabilities. KK Group and PowerCon have an aligned strategic vision based on a relationship built on over 15 years of collaboration in wind.

“Joining KK Group is a natural next step for PowerCon. We share the same roots in wind and the same belief in what power conversion technology can do for the energy transition. With KK Group’s scale and resources behind us, we can bring our shore power solutions to more ports and customers, supported by a stable ownership platform that supports continued development, technological advancement, and growth,” said Kim Brøndum Larsen, CEO and co-founder of PowerCon A/S.

PowerCon will become part of KK Group but operate as a separate entity while the two companies explore options for further collaboration.

The former owners and leadership team of PowerCon will keep a minority share of 30% in PowerCon as well as play a key role within the organization, ensuring continuity, long-term commitment, local anchoring for customers, suppliers, and employees.

Following the acquisition, more than 200 new colleagues will join KK Group, bringing the total number of colleagues to around 4,000.

The acquisition is expected to close during Q2 2026, following approval from regulatory authorities.

More info: www.kkgroup.com

Vestas has received a 186 MW order from EDF Power Solutions North America to supply 28 EnVentus V162-6.2 MW wind turbines and two EnVentus V162-6.0 MW wind turbines for the Forêt Domaniale wind project in Québec, Canada. The order includes a 10-year Active Output Management (AOM) 5000 service agreement. Once operational, Forêt Domaniale will provide clean and secure energy to tens of thousands of Québec homes while supporting local job creation and industrial development.

The 186 MW Forêt Domaniale order builds on a series of EnVentus projects with EDF in Québec in 2025, including the 275 MW Madawaska project and the 124 MW HauteChaudiêrewind project. Together, these projects amount to almost 600 MW of EnVentus orders in the province, underscoring the momentum behind wind development in Québec.

“Forêt Domaniale represents our third project with EDF Power Solutions North America in Québec in just the past year, underscoring the strength of our collaboration and the impact that worldclass technology paired with proven supplychain expertise can deliver,” said Laura Beane, President, Vestas North America. “Through continued investment in Québec’s energy future, we are helping unlock largescale renewable development across the province. With HydroQuébec targeting 10 gigawatts of wind capacity by 2035, momentum is clearly accelerating, and partnerships like this are essential to turning that ambitious vision into reality.”

Delivery of the turbines is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027, with commissioning scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.

“Our collaboration with Vestas continues to be a cornerstone of our success, and ForêtDomaniale Wind — the third project secured through Hydro-Québec’s call for tenders — is a strong reflection of that,” said Tristan Grimbert, President and CEO of EDF Power Solutions North America. “We are proud of this collaboration and remain deeply committed to playing a meaningful role in shaping Québec’s energy future.”

Vestas is a leader in Canada’s onshore wind market, with an installed base of more than 5 GW across all 10 provinces and a supply chain supported by over 300 local suppliers. The ForêtDomaniale project builds on a milestone year for Vestas in Quebec in 2025, marked by new turbine sales and construction and commissioning milestones that will deliver more than 1 GW of clean energy impact.

“As a technology leader with deep local expertise, we’re able to deliver projects that reflect exactly what our customers need; reliable performance, execution excellence, and longterm value,” said Jeff Fuchs, Senior Vice President, Onshore Sales, Vestas North America. “We are committed to supporting our customers and the province with solutions that deliver meaningful, lasting benefits for communities for generations to come.”

As part of a shared commitment to strengthen local manufacturing and job creation, EDF and Vestas have partnered with Québec-based Marmen as the tower supplier, supporting 150 direct jobs in Matane.

“Forêt Domaniale is a strong example of how sustained collaboration between developers, OEMs and local manufacturers can advance the energy transition while strengthening the regional economy,” said Vincent Trudel, President and CEO, Marmen.

More info: www.vestas.com

AMSOIL Inc. has announced a strategic distribution agreement with Repsol Lubricants under which Repsol Lubricants will market and sell AMSOIL Wind products, including proprietary AMSOIL Synthetic Power Transmission Gear Oil (PTN) products, across Europe and South America. The agreement expands the global availability of AMSOIL Wind products and combines advanced AMSOIL lubricant technology with Repsol’s extensive international reach and strong presence in the energy sector.

AMSOIL Wind products are engineered to meet the demanding requirements of wind turbine applications, helping operators improve equipment reliability, extend component life and reduce maintenance costs. AMSOIL Synthetic Power Transmission Gear Oil (PTN) is at the center of the agreement, a proprietary line of premium synthetic gear oils developed to provide exceptional protection against micropitting, wear, oxidation and sludge formation in heavily loaded wind turbine gearboxes.

“Partnering with Repsol Lubricants represents an important step in our global growth strategy for the wind energy market,” said AMSOIL General Manager, Global Wind Paul Swenson. “Repsol’s presence in key wind energy regions will allow more operators to benefit from the proven performance of AMSOIL Wind products.”

Under the agreement, Repsol Lubricants will offer the AMSOIL Wind portfolio to customers to countries across Europe and South America where it maintains a direct sales and service organization. The companies will work together to support wind farm owners, operators and maintenance providers with products, technical expertise and field support.

“By adding AMSOIL Wind products to our portfolio, we are able to offer customers a premium lubricant solution designed specifically for the challenges of modern wind turbines,” said Director, Repsol Lubricants Clara Velasco, Repsol. “The AMSOIL Synthetic Power Transmission Gear Oil (PTN) family delivers outstanding performance and complements our commitment to helping customers improve reliability and lower operating costs.”

The AMSOIL Synthetic Power Transmission Gear Oil (PTN) family has a strong record of successful use in wind turbine gearboxes operating in harsh environments and extreme temperatures and carries approvals from every major gearbox and turbine manufacturer supplying the market today. Its advanced formulation helps maximize oil life, reduce downtime and protect critical gearbox components under the most demanding conditions.

Product availability begins in select Repsol markets during the second quarter of 2026 and expands through the year.

More info: www.amsoil.com

Vaisala has launched PRECICAP® Radar Precipitation Sensor RM60, the first precipitation sensor built to solve the problems of conventional precipitation gauges at network scale.

Where conventional gauges collect and count rainfall mechanically, RM60 uses patented radar technology to measure each falling raindrop, snowflake, and hailstone individually as it passes through the air. Because RM60 does not rely on catchment, it is not subject to the physical losses that affect conventional gauges. That means more detailed data: not just how much rain fell, but how hard it was raining, what type of precipitation it was, and the size distribution of the drops..

Flood warnings depend on accurate precipitation data. So do reservoir operations, hydrological models, and the climate records used to assess how rainfall patterns are shifting. Getting that data right depends on sensors that work reliably, in the worst conditions and the most difficult locations, precisely when it matters most.

The data they produce runs consistently low, because the mechanical collection process loses precipitation to wind, evaporation, and freezing. That bias runs through every network and every model built on it. Correction factors help, but they are inconsistent across networks and cannot fully compensate.

In many of the locations most vulnerable to flash floods and debris flows, such as remote mountain slopes and exposed catchments, there are no gauges at all. Conventional gauges require regular on-site maintenance, which makes remote and exposed sites too costly to equip. When intense rainfall hits an unmonitored slope, there is no data to trigger a warning.

“For over a century, precipitation gauges have measured too low. Not because of how networks were designed or operated. Because of a physical limitation built into the technology itself, one that the entire field had learned to work around. Our engineers thought differently, and proved it with RM60,” said Anne Jalkala, EVP, Weather, Energy, and Environment at Vaisala.

RM60 delivers better ground truth for weather radar networks, and richer inputs for forecast models and hydrological simulations. The result is more complete, more trustworthy data for the forecasters, hydrologists, and infrastructure operators who depend on it, and ultimately for the communities whose safety depends on their work.

RM60 has been field-deployed since 2020, with dozens of units operating across a range of climates and environments. More than 700,000 hours of field data cover conditions from subarctic winters to tropical rainfall and high-wind Atlantic conditions.  

Over its lifecycle, RM60’s cost of ownership is substantially lower than a conventional tipping-bucket station, due to the elimination of maintenance visits, infrastructure requirements, and consumables. A tipping-bucket gauge typically requires at least four maintenance visits per year. RM60 requires none. It can run on a compact solar panel and battery and mounts on a standard mast, making it practical across the full network, including sites that have historically been too costly or difficult to equip. RM60 requires no cleaning, no calibration, and no field visits throughout its service life, and its design eliminates the wind errors that affect conventional gauges without any additional infrastructure

More info: www.vaisala.com/rm60

Flender has started operating its new location in Brazil, strengthening its presence and service offerings in South America, especially in the wind energy sector, but also in the broadly diversified industrial business.

This move follows the acquisition of the service business for wind turbine and assimilated industrial gear units from Wärtsilä Brasil Ltda., which started as a partnership in 2018 and represents the natural progression of this collaboration.

By taking the strategic decision to assume the business lead and establish a direct presence in Brazil, Flender has sealed its commitment to supporting customers locally. Through the acquisition, the gear unit service business, including its service workshop in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, 35 km south of Recife, Brazil, has been transferred to Flender.
 
With the EU-Mercosur trade agreement taking effect on May 1, Flender is strengthening its foothold in one of South America’s most dynamic industrial markets at exactly the right moment. Brazil’s strong position in renewable energy — from wind to hydropower — creates ideal conditions to deepen customer partnerships and grow the company’s local service capabilities.

“The establishment of our own location in Brazil is a logical step in advancing our service business in South America. It lays the foundation for long-term growth, further investments and even closer collaboration with our customers across the region,” said Andreas Evertz, CEO of Flender.
 
The facility, opened in 2022, spans 5,000 square meters and is equipped with testing capabilities for wind turbine gear units of current power classes.

It is the first facility in Latin America with such capacity and provides a solid foundation for Flender’s service activities. The focus is on the installed base of wind turbines in the region, with priority given to continuing to serve local customers with excellence through investments in local spare parts and equipment to boost availability and shorten lead times. Flender is also considering future growth opportunities, such as upgrading test bench and lifting capabilities to service larger and next-generation wind turbines drive trains in South America, which have expanded over the last six years.

With the acquisition, Flender welcomes the Wärtsilä Brazil gears service team, including staff from sales, workshop team and general management. This integration of qualified specialists will further enhance operational capabilities and outstanding customer service in the region.
 
The takeover benefits Flender’s global service network. Next to the wind business, the new location opens growth opportunities for industrial gear units, industrial customer service, couplings, and generators, further strengthening the company’s market presence.

“With the opening of the location in Brazil, we are ready from day one to serve our customers locally. Thanks to the long-standing cooperation with Wärtsilä as a service partner, we already have an established network, local expertise and a deep understanding of the Brazilian market. We are now building on this strong foundation,” said Antti Turunen, VP Wind Service.

The official signing took place on August 18, 2025. With the final, unconditional approval from the Brazilian competition authority (CADE), the transaction has now been completed.

More info: www.flender.com

As part of the development of the Estonian Liivi offshore wind farm project, the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES has conducted a site condition monitoring campaign in Liivi Bay, commissioned by Enefit.

The Fraunhofer IWES Stage 3+ wind Lidar buoy, a floating Lidar system, was installed together with co-deployed oceanographic sensors to collect a year of measurements, e.g., wind profiles, turbulence intensity (TI), wave, and current parameters. It was the first commercial campaign to obtain advanced TI measurements from Fraunhofer IWES’s high-frequency deterministic motion compensation method. The campaign also involved a land-based Lidar measurement and wind modelling.

A site condition monitoring campaign is essential before building a wind farm, providing the sitespecific resource and environmental data needed to design the project safely, efficiently, and with best bankability. The campaign in Liivi Bay was conducted from October 2024 to December 2025. Floating Lidar systems like the Fraunhofer IWES wind Lidar buoy have been widely adopted by the wind industry as an efficient survey tool. They allow accurate resource measurements at sea, with traceable and minimized measurement uncertainty, to provide optimum energy yield assessment.

During the sea ice season, the Fraunhofer IWES wind Lidar buoy was temporarily removed from site. This was planned to prevent sea ice damage. The parallel onshore Lidar campaign deployed on Kihnu Island provided a precise wind measurement reference for that period. A horizontal transfer modeling using an offshore-calibrated atmospheric flow model addressed the data gap caused by the buoy’s absence and completed the datasets.

“Liivi Bay represents a strategically important location for the development of offshore in the Baltic region,” said Johann-Gustav Lend, Baltics Business Development Manager at Enefit. “The insights gained from this measurement campaign will support Enefit in advancing offshore wind capacity that enhances regional energy security and accelerates the transition to a cleaner, more efficient energy system.”

In parallel with its recent scientific advancements and publications, Fraunhofer IWES has delivered turbulence intensity (TI) measurements based on its high-frequency deterministic motion compensation method. Enefit and the Liivi Project are the first commercial partners to benefit from this cutting-edge methodology for floating Lidar systems.

“The Fraunhofer IWES project team was delighted to deliver the technically important turbulence intensity measurements based on our own step-up into high-frequency line-of-sight motion compensation, bringing the benefit of applied research to the industry as per Fraunhofer’s mission,” said Loïs Legendre, Project Manager Wind Measurement at Fraunhofer IWES.

Also involved in the project were the Riigilaevastik (Estonian State Fleet) and their vessel crews providing effective operational support throughout the campaign, as well as Luode Consulting who conducted the oceanographic measurements.

“For the Estonian State Fleet, active participation in scientific research and monitoring activities in national waters is highly important, including making state fleet resources available to support such work,” said Andres Laasma, Director General of the Estonian State Fleet.

More info: www.iwes.fraunhofer.de/en

Vestas has announced plans to establish a nacelle and hub factory in Scotland, United Kingdom to meet growing demand for offshore wind in the UK and Europe. The factory, a capital investment in excess of €250m, would produce nacelles and hubs for Vestas’s flagship offshore wind turbine, the V236-15.0 MW. The investment would create up to 500 skilled direct jobs, support further indirect jobs in the wider economy and underpin a supply chain critical to meeting the UK’s clean power targets and energy security.

The announcement follows record-breaking AR7 auction results in January 2026, a growing offshore wind order book for Vestas in the UK, and strategic discussions between the UK government, the Scottish government and Vestas on the next steps to develop and co-invest in the facility.

The final investment decision is conditional on securing sufficient UK-based orders in AR7 and AR8. Subject to the timing of those results, and the planning process, the facility could start production by 2029/2030. The plan also includes identifying opportunities for co-locating sub-suppliers of other major components.

“The UK government has made a big statement with AR7, showcasing how wind energy creates a positive impact on energy security, sustainability, and affordability for end consumers. We welcome the UK and Scottish governments’ dedication to fostering a competitive offshore wind market and look forward to working together to progress our co-investment plans,” says Henrik Andersen, CEO Vestas. “Establishing a nacelle and hub assembly factory in Scotland would create hundreds of local jobs and support further jobs across the wider supply chain, delivering longlasting economic benefits to the region.”

“The Government’s clean energy mission is delivering good industrial jobs for Scottish workers-boosting growth as part of our drive to give the UK energy security. This is happening because of the Government’s record-breaking offshore wind auction and the confidence our mission has given industry to invest in Scotland. We will not stop in driving to create many more jobs like these for Scotland and the UK,” said energy secretary Ed Miliband.

“Vestas’s proposal to develop a hub and nacelle factory in Scotland, with the potential to support hundreds of jobs, speaks to the huge potential of the Scottish offshore wind sector and our attractiveness as an investment destination. Scottish Ministers have engaged closely with Vestas since 2021, and we look forward to continuing to work with the company and delivery partners to develop our offshore wind supply chain and deliver long-term economic benefits for our communities,” said Kate Forbes, deputy first minister and economy secretary.

The announcement demonstrates Vestas’s ambition to grow the UK’s supply chain and an approach to invest where a strong and visible pipeline can support a competitive and sustainable business case. The potential factory in Scotland, UK would become Vestas’ fifth factory in Europe dedicated solely to the manufacturing of offshore wind turbine nacelles and blades.

More info: www.vestas.com

GeoForce Technical Services, part of Oceanscan and the wider Venterra Group, has been selected by Reach Subsea to deliver the geotechnical component of a wider offshore survey campaign for the Shetland HVDC Link 2, a nationally significant program to strengthen Great Britain’s transmission network and support future renewable energy growth.

Running from late February to August 2026, the sixmonth campaign for Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission) will support the development of an around-330km, 2 GW subsea connection between Shetland and the Scottish mainland, forming part of SSEN Transmission’s longterm Beyond 2030 strategic network plan.

“We’re proud to support Reach Subsea on a project of this scale and national importance. By delivering fast, accurate geotechnical insight, we help transform complex seabed conditions into confident engineering decisions – strengthening the UK’s future transmission network and contributing to a more resilient, cleanenergy system. This award reflects the depth of our continued collaboration with Reach and the trust placed in us to support SSEN Transmission’s future network ambitions,” said James McDonald, GeoForce managing director.

As part of its scope, GeoForce will deliver specialist geotechnical acquisition and analysis, including seabed characterization, sediment analysis and core penetration testing. These insights will feed directly into route optimization and installation design, giving SSEN Transmission a higherresolution understanding of subsurface conditions and derisking engineering decisions ahead of cable installation. This work is essential to ensuring the subsea cable can be routed and installed safely, efficiently and effectively across varied offshore conditions.

The contract award builds on the established relationship between GeoForce and Reach Subsea across previous offshore site investigation projects, bringing together expertise to accelerate highquality, decisionready data delivery.

“GeoForce provides specialist geotechnical expertise that will play a key role in the success of our campaign with SSEN Transmission. Their capabilities complement our integrated project delivery onboard our vessels and will help ensure we acquire the high-resolution seabed data needed to support SSEN Transmission’s design and routing activities, while maintaining the highest standards of safety,” said Alastair McKie, Reach Subsea UK managing director.

GeoForce’s contribution also supports the broader role of its parent company, Venterra, in enabling offshore wind growth and subsea infrastructure development through its specialist businesses across the project lifecycle, from earlystage analysis through to offshore execution.

More info: www.venterra-group.com

DWT has completed a 38 MW refurbishment project at the Buena Vista Wind Farm in California for LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy). The project began in August 2025 and was delivered on schedule in December 2025, reflecting DWT’s execution and integrated Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) capabilities.

This marked DWT’s first refurbishment project with LRE and stood as a testament to strong collaboration, seamless coordination, and disciplined execution between both teams. Through teamwork and planning, the companies maintained schedule integrity while navigating demanding site conditions.

The refurbishment project included comprehensive upgrades across all 38 turbines, consisting of blade enhancements and bladework improvements; oil and hydraulic system upgrades; control equipment modernization, and power plant control system enhancements.

“We are proud to have successfully delivered the project on time and on budget,” said Melf Lorenzen, CEO of DWT. “This achievement demonstrates the strength of our team and our close collaboration with LRE. By aligning technical expertise with clear communication and joint problem-solving, DWT and LRE ensured smooth implementation across all scopes of work. Even while facing weather interruptions, the teams maintained momentum and achieved completion without schedule delays.”

More info: www.dwtglobal.com

NOF and Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind cluster, has welcomed the Crown Estate’s announcement that it will move forward with the next phase of offshore leasing. The announcement was made at the Energy Central Learning Hub in Blyth on March 26 at an event attended by local industry and national stakeholders.

The area identified by The Crown Estate could support up to 6GW or more of offshore wind capacity, supporting 2030 clean power targets. The announcement also signals a strong step toward strengthening a credible pipeline of opportunities, limiting the impacts of attrition and supporting energy security at a key time.

The region’s potential to support future leasing is bolstered by its strategic location, with access to ports, infrastructure through supply chain capacity, and a ready workforce skilled in construction, fabrication, operations and maintenance. All of which have been at the forefront of Energi Coast’s ambitions to highlight the North East’s offshore potential.

Established in 2011, Energi Coast is one of eight UK offshore wind clusters and is owned and operated by NOF; a national business development organization with more than 400 members involved in the offshore wind, hydrogen, carbon capture & storage, oil & gas and nuclear industries.

Over the course of three years, Energi Coast has undertaken numerous activities to raise awareness of the opportunity, supply and technology innovation in the region and has developed key strategic relationships with national stakeholders, as well as, more recently, assisting in the development of a pan-regional offshore wind strategy for the coming decade.

“This is a significant moment for both the UK and the North East, placing the region at the heart of delivering energy security whilst simultaneously delivering economic growth,” said Tony Quinn, Energi Coast chairman.

“The deliverability is borne out of incremental innovation, our engineering expertise and our ability to scale our key businesses to the requisite capacity. We’ve already demonstrated our capability on projects like Dogger Bank and Sofia and are ready to increase our regional share of this new capacity announced today,” Quinn said.

“These new offshore wind farm sites will drive multi-billion-pound private sector investment and create thousands of skilled jobs with regional businesses lined up to capitalise on the future supply chain opportunities,” said Joanne Leng MBE, Chief Executive of NOF.

“Today’s announcement has the potential to unlock the next phase for North East England’s offshore wind future. The region has grown both expertise and innovation, and further collaboration will grow the industry further for generations to come,” said Tom Nightingale, Energi Coast deputy chairman and Equinor local supply chain manager.

North East England is at the epicenter of the energy transition with the pipeline, projects and people needed to advance the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. The region is built on a great industrial heritage, and its strong supply chain and ports will be at the heart of the sector’s growth in the North East and beyond, helping to deliver the Offshore Wind Industrial Growth Plan and create opportunities for local people to prosper.

More info: energicoast.co.uk/

Renewable energy developer Boralex has acquired two onshore wind projects in the UK, strengthening its development pipeline and supporting the expansion of renewable power generation across Wales and Scotland.

The projects, Upper Ogmore Wind Farm in South Wales and the Tom na Clach Extension in the Scottish Highlands, have a combined capacity of more than 58MW and are expected to become operational toward the end of the decade.

The Upper Ogmore Wind Farm, located near Blaengarw and Nant-y-Moel in South Wales, is a seven-turbine development with a capacity of around 25MW. Consented by the Welsh government in 2022, the project was originally developed by RES and later acquired by Marubeni. Once operational, it is expected to generate enough renewable electricity to power about 16,500 homes.

Boralex will now progress development, which secured a 20–year Contract for Difference in AR7, which provides long-term revenue visibility.

The company has also acquired a 75% majority share in the Tom na Clach Extension, a 34MW ready-to-build project located northeast of Tomatin in the Scottish Highlands. The project, consented in May 2024, will comprise seven turbines and extend the existing Tom na ClachWind Farm, which is already operational in the area. The extension was developed by Infinergy, with Colin Cawdor retaining a minority stake in the project.

Construction of the projects is expected to support local economic activity and provide long-term community benefit funding in surrounding areas. Upper Ogmore is anticipated to bring significant investment during construction and the early years of operation, while the extension at Tom na Clach will build on the established presence of wind generation in the Strathdearnarea.

“The acquisition of Upper Ogmore and the Tom na Clach Extension strengthens our development portfolio in the UK, and reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality renewable energy projects that support the transition to a low-carbon energy system.

“Both projects are located in areas with strong wind resources and established grid infrastructure. By progressing these developments, we can help deliver reliable and affordable clean energy while creating economic opportunities for local communities,” said EsbjornWilmar, UK Director at Boralex.

The Upper Ogmore project is expected to connect to the grid later in the decade, with grid connection planned for 2029, while the Tom na Clach Extension is targeting commercial operation around 2030, subject to final development milestones.

Together, the acquisitions support Boralex’s strategy to expand its renewable energy footprint in the UK and help deliver the clean power capacity needed to meet national decarbonisationgoals.

More info: www.boralex.com

2025 was a solid year for KK Group. Amid a market challenged by geopolitical and macroeconomic forces, the company increased revenue while also significantly improving overall profitability and free cash flow.

At the same time, the company completed the integration of Vestas’ converter and controls business and prepared to finalize the integration of Nissens Cooling Solutions.

“In 2025, during a year of economic uncertainty, we achieved solid financial results while transforming our business to prepare for future growth. We exceeded expectations for both our top and bottom-lines, while maintaining high focus on quality, reliability and most importantly, safety,” says Mauricio Quintana, CEO of KK Group.

In 2025, the company launched a new strategy, Powering Change, and rebranded from KK Wind Solutions to KK Group. The strategy sets the company on a journey to become a more resilient, diversified, and global technology partner for renewables and energy-intensive industries.

As part of the new strategy, the company will accelerate investment to solidify its customer value proposition and to explore new opportunities within its core wind business, repurpose existing wind products in other industries to expand its role across the energy transition value chain.

The company transformed its organization to work more efficiently, drive scale, and to better serve its customers by establishing three business divisions: Power & Controls, Cooling, and Monitoring & Service, supported by group functions.

“Changing our name to KK Group respects our history while incorporating our acquisitions that have complemented our portfolio and enabled us to provide even more value for our key customers,” Quintana said. “Our 3,700 colleagues deliver solutions that ensure stable and efficient energy systems in wind and other energy-intensive industries. As electrification accelerates, we help customers improve efficiency and optimize asset performance. Combined with our 2025 results and new structure, we are aiming to become a more diversified and resilient business, well positioned to deliver on our long-term ambitions.”

More info: www.kkgroup.com

Vaisala, a leader in measurement instruments and intelligence for climate action, will launchVaisala Care, a service offering that maximizes uptime, measurement quality, and asset lifetime for Vaisala weather systems and sensors. Vaisala Care combines the company’s in-house expertise, remote capabilities, and proactive lifecycle care into two tiers.

When challenges are managed on a one-off basis, recovery often takes more time. Vaisala Care ensures planned support that brings together prioritized access to Vaisala’s global technical support teams, remote services, defined response times, and extended warranty coverage.

Vaisala Care+ builds on this foundation with proactive lifecycle services including managed calibration programs performed by Vaisala experts, preventative maintenance, and performance enhancements to ensure long-term system reliability, stable performance, and trusted data quality across the network.

“Customers told us they wanted clearer choices and more predictable budgeting,” said AnneJalkala, Executive Vice President, Weather, Energy and Environment at Vaisala. “Vaisala Care makes it straightforward to select the right level of support, whether that is responsive expert help when needed, or fully proactive lifecycle management where we handle scheduling and execution.”

The program is designed for airports, meteorological institutes, energy companies, road authorities, and infrastructure operators who manage weather observation networks, where uptime and long-term accuracy are critical.

With two tiers, customers can choose the level of support that matches their operational criticality, while Vaisala takes long-term responsibility for keeping systems performing as intended. Both tiers are structured as annual contracts that bring fewer surprises, predictable costs, less effort, and confidence that critical observation infrastructure stays accurate, reliable, and available.

Vaisala manages service delivery through a combination of remote support, service centers, and onsite services provided by Vaisala or authorized partners. Customers select their preferred tier when purchasing new systems or sensors, or at contract renewal for existing installations, protecting the value of their measurement infrastructure throughout its lifecycle.

The framework addresses growing customer preference for planned maintenance approaches over reactive service calls, while providing cost predictability through annual pricing rather than variable charges for individual service events.

“Our technical capabilities and global service organization have evolved to better support our customers worldwide,” said David Rey, Vice President, Project, CareTech and Service at Vaisala. “Vaisala Care brings that expertise together in a clear framework aligned with customers’ operational requirements, from essential support to comprehensive lifecycle management.”

Vaisala Care launches first for airport weather observation systems, with rollout planned for weather radars, wind lidars, and road weather systems throughout 2026.

More info: www.vaisala.com

As offshore wind structures grow larger and tolerances tighter, precision on the shopfloor is becoming a decisive competitive factor.

On March 11 and 12, at offshore wind conference Belgian Offshore Days, ARGON will showcase how its fully integrated Shopfloor Measurement Solutions (SMS) transform advanced 3D metrology into practical, operator-friendly and operator-independent production tools. By embedding automated, data-driven measurement into manufacturing workflows, ARGON enables faster execution, higher accuracy and shorter feedback loops — turning (sub)millimeter control into measurable economic value for offshore wind manufacturers.

Europe’s offshore wind sector is accelerating at a sustained pace. North Sea countries have set ambitious renewable energy targets, triggering a wave of investments. Meanwhile, turbines and foundations continue to grow in size and complexity. Larger components, tighter tolerances and more demanding installation requirements significantly increase manufacturing challenges. As dimensions scale up, so do the risks and costs of even the smallest deviation. In offshore wind, more than ever, every (tenth of a) millimeter counts.

Within this landscape, ARGON plays a distinct role. Where traditional measurement methods reach their limits with extremely large and complex structures, ARGON bridges advanced 3D metrology technologies with the practical realities on the shopfloor.

Rather than supplying standalone devices, ARGON delivers fully integrated shopfloor measurement solutions (SMS), engineered, developed, assembled and installed specifically for offshore wind manufacturers.

ARGON’s advanced systems are designed to be as intuitive as a coffee machine, while leveraging 3D measurement hardware and software.

Through its Stepstone Model, ARGON translates metrology challenges into practical solutions for industrial production environments. Each project follows a structured approach: from concept and proof of concept to a fully developed solution ready for immediate use, including full support after entry into service.

Dedicated ARGON SMS solutions for offshore wind applications include: BLADEscan, an inspection solution for wind turbine blades; FLANGEscan for flanges of foundations and towers, WELDscan, for (semi) automated marking and inspection solution for large welded assemblies, and CRANEscan for telescopic crane pipes.

More info: www.argon-ms.com/ | www.belgianoffshoredays.eu/en/home/

Onshore wind power and solar PV are expected to drive growth in Laos’ renewable power capacity, which is forecast to increase to 9.8GW by 2035 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% during 2025–35, according to GlobalData, an intelligence and productivity platform.

Laos is looking to move away from coal-based power generation, with a focus on renewables development, especially onshore wind and solar PV.  The southern region of the country, encompassing the provinces of Sekong, Attapeu, and Champasak, boasts significant wind energy potential. The solar potential is also at estimated at 4.4 kWh per square meter per day, which translates to around 1,800 to 2,000 hours of sunlight annually.

GlobalData’s latest report, “Laos Power Market Trends and Analysis by Capacity, Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Regulations, Key Players and Forecast to 2035,” revealed that in 2025, onshore wind constituted for nearly 74.3% of Laos’ total renewable power capacity, followed by solar PV accounting for 12.8% share. Onshore wind is projected to increase from 1.5GW in 2025 to 5.1GW in 2035, whereas solar PV capacity is expected to increase from 0.3GW in 2025 to 4GW in 2035.

“Onshore wind will play a key role in the country’s renewable development. Following the introduction of onshore wind into Laos’ capacity mix in 2025, with the launch of three wind power plants, the share of renewables increased from 2.6% in 2024 to 14.1% in 2025. However, hydropower is expected to continue to play an important role in the country’s electricity generation mix,” said Attaurrahman Ojindaram Saibasan, Power Analyst at GlobalData,

Despite the potential for solar power development, the geography of Laos poses challenges for the implementation of large-scale, ground-mounted solar projects due to spatial constraints.  However, developing floating solar installations on reservoirs used for hydropower generation provides an opportunity for solar power capacity expansion.

“Laos aims to achieve a 75% share of hydropower and an 11% share of variable renewables (specifically solar and wind) by 2030. The country plans to increase its hydropower capacity by an additional 13GW by 2030 and has set a conditional target of achieving 1GW of total solar and wind capacity and 300MW of biopower capacity by the same year. These targets are expected to bolster renewable growth,” said Saibasan.

More info: www.globaldata.com

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has announced it has launched IMCASkills, a digital learning hub, which will now be the go-to place for the marine industry’s competence and development needs. The first product on the new platform is the migration of the Dynamic Positioning CPD learning program, which is designed to be the first step in bringing all Dynamic’s CPD content together in the secure platform, which will offer improved learning and user experience.

It is designed to make professional development simpler, richer and better value for users and is built to fit around learners’ needs, with improved function, and enhanced access.

IMCA’s purpose is to bring all its CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and learning content together in one modern platform, and ultimately make it easier for users to operate and navigate.

The organization, which for more than 50 years has played a key role in bringing the offshore industry together to improve safety, says the migration to IMCA Skills will also offer its users clearer progress tracking, and better access across both online and offline devices.

“The change is entirely motivated by wanting to make our users’ experience as easy as possible; more convenient, flexible and assisting them in acquiring the skills that are important to their work, said Richard Purser, IMCA technical advisor—Marine.

“We are always on hand to advise them through the process, and welcome any feedback on the new platform. Our goal is to make our industry safer and better, and we are certain this will be another big step towards that.”

IMCA includes more than 230 Guidance documents and 250 Information Notes that cover almost every aspect of offshore operations including, diving, marine, ROV and offshore survey.

The program will remain accredited by the Nautical Institute, which supports the revalidation of DPO certificates, ensuring alignment with industry standards and professional requirements.

More info: www.imca-int.com

Steelwind Nordenham steel fabricators turned to Sherwin-Williams when working on He Dreiht, Germany’s largest wind farm and a showcase for modern, sustainable infrastructure.

Offshore wind is playing a vital role in delivering clean, reliable power at scale. And with the foundations of these mammoth structures being exposed to some of the harshest environments imaginable, protecting them from corrosion is tantamount to protecting our energy security.

Given positive experiences on previous projects in collaboration with EnBW, The EnBW offshore wind farm He Dreiht comprises 64 turbines with a total capacity of 960 megawatts, and is one of the first wind farms in Germany to be built without government subsidies.

Covering an area of around 90 km near the island of Borkum in the North Sea, he Dreiht is one of Europe’s largest energy transition projects. By spring 2026, it will be able to supply 1.1 million households with renewable energy. It plays an integral part in the country’s future energy plans, making its protection from the elements a crucial consideration.

“Off-shore wind monopiles are exposed to aggressive environmental conditions every day. Rising from the seabed, these steel structures encounter saltwater immersion, strong currents, wave impacts, and fluctuating splash zones, all of which leaves them highly vulnerable to corrosion,” said Matthias Winkler at Sherwin-Williams.

“The monopiles are the backbone of the entire wind farm. If they fail, the turbines fail,” said Winkler.

Protecting monopiles from corrosion is not just a technical necessity. It is a matter of safety, sustainability, and energy reliability.

Corrosion protection coatings act as a barrier between the metal and its environment, preventing corrosive elements like water, oxygen, and salts from reaching the surface. Sherwin-Williams’ Dura-Plate SW-501 Series is a 100% solvent-free and benzyl alcohol-free high-build epoxy coating that forms a dense, impermeable layer over the steel surface. With outstanding structural integrity, these coatings offer long-term protection for turbine investment while delivering safety and reliability well beyond their expected service life.

Due to their extensive experience working with Sherwin-Williams on a range of projects, Steelwind Nordenham and EnBW were well aware of the coating system that best met their needs.

“For Steelwind Nordenham, reliability and quality are non-negotiable. Our reputation depends on delivering foundations that will stand the test of time,” said Dr. Andreas Liessem of Steelwind Nordenham.

“By choosing the Sherwin-Williams Dura-Plate SW-501 coating system, we’re not only ensuring 25 to 30 years of corrosion resistance in one of the toughest marine environments, but also helping safeguard Germany’s energy security and the end user’s investment.”

Application of the 100% solvent-free coating system took place at Steelwind Nordenham’sadvanced fabrication facility in northern Germany, where the massive steel monopiles, each measuring up to 71m in length and weighing around 1,350 tons, were produced.

Close collaboration between all three partner companies ensured the system met all regulatory and client requirements. As part of the He Dreiht offshore wind project, Steelwind Nordenhamagain relied on the proven protective coating Dura-Plate SW-501 this time on a foundation of exceptional size.

Dura-Plate SW-501 exceeded expectations in two key areas: handling during application and superior surface finish after curing. This confirmed the coating as a reliable solution for demanding offshore structures and highlighted its role in a long-term corrosion protection strategy.

More info: www.enbw.com

The HELUKABEL Group takes an important step in its strategic development: The specialists in electrical connection technology may now be found on the market under a new brand name — HELU, giving clear expression to the company’s transformation in recent years into a systems and solutions provider.

No longer HELUKABEL, just HELU — the idea behind this change is both deliberate and strategic, as the company has developed step by step from a manufacturer of only cables into an internationally leading systems supplier for electrical connection technology. In addition to cables and wires, its portfolio now includes assemblies and drag chains with which it creates integrated, custom, and installation-ready solutions for its customers’ wide range of applications. This evolution will also have an impact at a market level with a new brand name, new logo, and a new claim: “Always Stay Electrified.”

“The future of connection technology is no longer defined by the quality of individual components,” said Managing Director Marc Luksch. “Instead, it’s about combining them into intelligent, installation-ready systems and services. In the previous years, we’ve consistently expanded our competencies and our vision.”

Customers benefit from this solution-based approach through fewer and more clearly defined points of contact, time-saving implementation, and a consistently proven high level of quality.

As a sole supplier, HELU produces more than cables — it also produces drag chains and assemblies in its own factories. Unifying its entire range of products under the roof of the HELU brand is taking a step toward greater clarity and simplicity for customers.

“Our goal is to combine our competencies as a group to provide the users of our solutions with real added value,” Luksch said. “Regardless of how complex or unique the challenges may be.”

HELU USA is the wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of HELUKABEL GmbH, a global cable system solutions provider specializing in the production of cables, wires, accessories, cable assemblies, robotic dress packs, and drag chains with 76 locations in 43 countries throughout the world. In its 200,000-square-foot, suburban-Chicago facility, HELU USA stocks more than 4,000 cable, wire, and accessory line items for a multitude of application areas including mechanical and plant engineering, industrial automation, oil and gas, building technology, infrastructure, mobility and renewable energy. Direct access to a 1.8 million-square-foot, fully automated warehouse with 33,000 line items, enables HELU USA to provide extremely short delivery times.

More info: www.helukabel.com

The EU project WindSCORE, which launched in December 2025, is developing a scientifically based 360° evaluation toolbox within the next three years, that incorporates economic, technical, sustainability-oriented, and social criteria, thereby supporting investors and stakeholders.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems has joined forces with its partners FondationOpen-C, SINTEF, Statnett, TÜV SÜD, Bio-Littoral, and Equinor.

When constructing offshore wind farms, criteria such as sustainability, innovation, and system benefits will be taken into account in the future with the help of the WindSCORE assessment tool.

Offshore wind energy plays a key role in Europe’s sustainable energy supply. New locations, such as in the Atlantic, are coming into focus and need to be evaluated. At the moment, there is no comprehensive evaluation system that provides investors with a reliable risk analysis. Another key issue is to generate social acceptance, which is crucial to the success of such projects.

This is where the WindSCORE (Sustainable Criteria and Overall Renewable Evaluation for Offshore Wind Energy) research project comes in: The aim of the project is to develop a decision-making tool in the form of a 360-degree KPI toolbox to improve the structure and design of tender criteria and enable a holistic assessment of offshore wind farm projects. This is intended to promote social acceptance of offshore wind energy and also to provide targeted support to stakeholders in the industry, from tendering to implementation.

WindSCORE integrates aspects such as sustainability, technical innovations – including floating wind turbines – as well as the integration of offshore wind energy into energy systems and grids and operational and maintenance (O&M) efficiency. Social impacts, such as regional value creation, are also to be included in the assessment. For practical application, the evaluation criteria and methods developed form the basis for a draft industry standard.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES is leading the project and taking on key tasks such as site analysis, modeling electricity generation costs, and evaluating technical concepts. A cost model and life cycle simulations are being used to assess the technical and financial sustainability of offshore wind farms.

”The development of the offshore wind industry is a central pillar of the energy transition. To ensure long-term social, political, and economic acceptance and minimize risks in the value chain, the WindSCORE project is developing a transparent, comprehensible 360° KPI-based evaluation system,” said Prof. Marcel Wiggert, responsible for project cooperation at Fraunhofer IWES.

“This is something many of our industry partners have been asking for,” said SINTEF’s Gard Hopsdal Hansen, Centre Director for FME NorthWind.

Statnett and Equinor, the two other Norwegian partners, contribute to operational experience with power systems and offshore wind farms, respectively, further advancing Norway´s renewable energy transition.

WindSCORE’s 360° assessment system lays the foundation for the further expansion of offshore wind energy and a climate-friendly power supply. It provides a reliable basis for assessing the risks and opportunities of future projects and locations – with a particular focus on environmental impact and sustainability.

Once the project is complete, Fraunhofer IWES will validate the methods developed and the toolbox and further develop them until they are ready for market.

More info: www.iwes.fraunhofer.de

Advanced Precast Company, Inc., an Iowa based producer of structural and architectural prestress products, has strengthened its lifting and material-handling capabilities with the recent addition of a Shuttlelift DB50 rubber-tired gantry crane. The investment supports the company’s growth and its commitment to efficient, precise, and dependable production.

The DB50 delivered to Advanced Precast includes features that have proven valuable to both operators and maintenance staff. Anderson highlighted Shuttlelift’s spacious cab and platform layout, which he described as “a nice working space for our operators.” The maintenance team also noted the benefit of being able to access and service critical components from ground level or a ladder thanks to the crane’s low-mounted hoist design. Shuttlelift’s IQAN diagnostic system gives the ability to streamline troubleshooting and help the team keep working, further maximizing uptime and improving overall efficiency.

Founded in 2008, Advanced Precast operates a 70,000-square-foot facility equipped with four casting lines. Despite being a smaller operation, the company has built a reputation for exceptional speed and efficiency. “We are a small facility, but we are fast in how we operate,” said Randy Anderson, Director of Operations. “Because of our efficiencies, people often think we’re much larger than we actually are.”

As business continued to expand over the past several years, the need for a new gantry crane became increasingly clear. Anderson first connected with Shuttlelift at a trade show, where he was introduced to the company’s equipment and team. “After getting to know Shuttlelift, we realized how easy it was to work together.”

“The Shuttlelift technicians were incredibly self-sufficient, we were able to go about our normal day as they did their job. It was a seamless install… the learning curve from our previous equipment to Shuttlelift was easy and smooth,” said Anderson.

“Shuttlelift has always treated us well, and there has always been full transparency,” he said. “If we’re in a bind, they are quick to help us out. Their level of knowledge in the gantry crane industry is second to none,” Anderson said.

More info: www.shuttlelift.com