Fortescue invests more in “self-erecting” wind tower innovator

Andrew Forrest’s Fortescue Future Industries has announced a new equity investment in Spanish wind energy engineering firm Nabrawind, which has developed a number of wind energy innovations including a self-erecting turbine tower and modular turbine blade technology.

This is the second investment Fortescue has made into the Navarre-based Nabrawind following an April 2023 commitment that was designed to boost production of its range of wind energy technologies.

Fortescue’s latest investment will focus on some of the most difficult problems in onshore wind such as improving yield while decreasing the cost of logistics, cranes, and project delays.

“Nabrawind is a critical partner in our fight to increase renewable energy adoption and decarbonise our energy usage across our Western Australian iron ore operations,” said Mark Hutchinson, CEO of Fortescue Energy.

“Fortescue’s investment will further enable Nabrawind to ramp up their cutting-edge innovations toward full scale commercialisation, with Fortescue as a major customer.”

Nabrawind has commercialised five wind energy technologies: Nabralift, a self-erecting wind turbine tower; Nabrajoint, a modular blade technology; and Nabrabase, billed as “a very competitive and environmentally friendly elevated foundation for wind farms located in places where the concrete supply or the soil conditions may represent a challenge.

It has also created BladeRunner, a crane-less blade maintenance and installation system; and Skylift, a full crane-less wind turbine installation system.

“Fortescue’s investment will enable Nabrawind to ramp up their cutting-edge innovations towards large-scale commercialization, with Fortescue as a major customer,” said Eneko Sanz, CEO of Nabrawind. 

“We are doubly satisfied: on one hand, our partners ensure profitability, as this operation also involves a partial divestment; on the other hand, we welcome a dream partner who shares our vision for the green transition.