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International classification society Germanischer Lloyd (GL) has set up a new subsidiary to focus solely on its wind energy activities, Germanischer Lloyd WindEnergie. Two stalwarts at GL who are well known in the German wind energy scene, Christian Nath and Bernhard Richter, will manage the new company, based in Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog. GL Windenergie will officially open next month. One-fourth of the company shares are expected to be bought by an investment company specialising in medium sized firms, the Gesellschaft für Wagniskapital Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft Schleswig-Holstein, which in turn is part of the Schleswig-Holstein investment bank. GL Windenergie will take over GL's 25% stake in the "Windtest" companies operating wind energy test stations at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog and Grevenbroich. "This will create a group of over 50 employees who will be able to handle large interdisciplinary projects," GL says. GL is one of two classification societies in Europe which issue "type approval" certificates to new turbine designs. The new wind division will have access to GL's global network as well as expertise from GL Offshore and Industrial Services and GL Certification, the company adds.