Skanska and Ecotricity form UK partnership

Swedish contractor Skanska has formed a partnership with UK green energy company Ecotricity for £500 million (€624 million) investment in onshore wind projects in Britain.

The joint venture know as Skylark is set to identify key sites across the next five years, aiming for 350MW of energy schemes supplying 200,000 homes to be developed by 2020.

According to the two companies, three potential sites have already been identified for an initial round of investment for 100MW of generating capacity, though these have yet to be confirmed.

It is projected the combined projects will create a wide range of construction, planning, scientific, technical and maintenance jobs. Ecotricity has previously worked on a business model of placing money raised from customers’ bills directly into green energy sources.

The company’s founder, Dale Vince said, “Ecotricity were the world’s first green electricity company, while Skanska aims to be the greenest construction company in the world – our shared pursuit of sustainability and our complementary skill sets creates a strong partnership.

“Ecotricity will use its expertise in green energy development to design wind parks and gain planning consents, while Skanska will use their expertise in construction to build them.

“It’s a simple partnership that will help to bring energy independence to Britain using green energy made in Britain.”

Skanska Infrastructure Development EVP, Steve Cooper, added, “Wherever we work, we strive to push forward the green agenda in construction and infrastructure development. Our green agenda, together with our wish to build what society needs, help to define us as a company.”