Preparing itself for the increasing demand in Northern Europe for its consultancy services, Ramboll has acquired a strong player in offshore wind in Germany.
The company, IMS Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, has 57 highly specialised employees located in Hamburg, which is the epicentre for offshore wind in Germany.
“In Northern Europe, particularly Germany and the United Kingdom, more than 100 offshore wind farms at a total construction cost in the order of €100 billion are in the pipeline,” said Managing Director of Ramboll Energy Thomas Rand and added: “Some 2,500 man-years for the development and management of offshore wind farms will be required over the next decade as part of the Pan-European strategy to move towards an energy supply based on renewable energy.”
Global concepts for strong German market
The German offshore wind market is expected to increase in volume with an annual installation rate of 1,500-2,000 MW for many years to come.
“Together with Ramboll, IMS will be able to offer the German offshore wind industry knowledge and experience from global offshore wind projects in combination with thorough knowledge and experience from the German market and local presence”, said Managing Director of IMS Dr. Peter Ruland .
Strengthened specialist capabilities
Founded in 1972, IMS has been a key player on the German market for offshore wind for many years. Its key competence is detailed design of offshore wind farms, and it is particularly strong in jacket foundations and substations and also provides services in wind assessments, wind energy and decommissioning of offshore wind farms.
“IMS fits perfectly into the strategy of Ramboll to become the leading European energy consultant and maintain its position as the world’s leading designer of offshore wind turbine foundations,” said Director of Ramboll’s Wind Division Klaus Jacob Jensen. Ramboll has performed more than 1300 individual foundation designs for 24 offshore wind farms around the world, totalling approximately 50% of installations.
IMS also provides specialised hydraulic, civil and environmental engineering services, which are complementary to the services provided by the Ramboll Group. Among the projects performed by IMS in recent years are, for instance, sea recovery of the ARIANE 5 booster rockets, design of two Antarctic research stations, and land reclamation for the Airbus A 380 production site in Hamburg.
Ramboll has acquired IMS from Italian engineering company Net Engineering International S.p.A. IMS will continue to trade under the name of IMS under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ruland.
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Press release, December 20, 2012; Image: Ramboll