Jan De Nul and Fortescue have decided to work together to connect continents with high energy production to continents with high consumption for the delivery of green electricity.
An agreement establishing the collaboration between Fortescue and Jan De Nul for the provision of the necessary resources for the transport and laying of submarine cables transmitting green electricity was signed in Rabat, Morocco by the Chairman of Fortescue, Dr Andrew Forrest, and the CEO of Jan De Nul, Ir. Jan Pieter De Nul
Dr Andrew Forrest, Founder and CEO of Fortescue, underlined the importance of this initiative saying, “There is a massive opportunity to send renewable electrons from Morocco and North Africa to Europe to industries and consumers who deserve a better choice than the only one they currently have available – carbon emitting, global warming causing fossil fuels.“
This collaboration is proving crucial at a time when Europe, following EU directives, is introducing global carbon taxes via the border carbon adjustment mechanism to encourage conversion to renewable energies. Dr Forrest identified a lack of cable-laying capacity as a major bottleneck to linking Morocco to Europe, adding that this partnership with Jan De Nul is an exceptional opportunity to overcome this obstacle.
According to Jan Pieter De Nul, CEO of Jan De Nul Group: “It is clear that the electrification transition is happening worldwide. Direct transport and consumption of green electrons is one of the most efficient ways to help reduce the total energy needs of the world. With our know-how, highly skilled and motivated staff and crew, and our versatile fleet of construction vessels including five of the world’s cutting edge subsea cable laying vessels we are ready to construct the energy transition.”
Fortescue and Jan De Nul are no strangers to each other. Their relationship of more than 20 years has already resulted in the world’s most efficient port in terms of cargo throughput at Port Hedland in Western Australia. The OCP Fortescue joint venture is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.
