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Nord-Trondelag Elektrisitetsverk (NTE) and Norsk Hydro have unveiled plans for a joint venture which they hope could lead to as many as 200 new turbines being installed in Norway. The two giant power companies are looking to increase wind power production in the Trondelag region by adding 100-200 turbines that would generate up to 1.5 TWh a year, enough to power 75,000 households. NTE is one of the largest hydro electricity producers in the Trondelag area, while Hydro is the country's second biggest energy producer. The two will specifically work on expanding existing plants at Osen, Flatanger and Roan as well as possibly NTE's Ytre Vikna plant -- and will pool their knowledge and resources in areas like planning and wind plant installation. The co-operation sees the partners going in either as joint owners or as providing expertise as required. "NTE has considerable expansion plans in wind power in the coming years. Bringing these plans to fruition is a huge financial undertaking, so we see it is advantageous to enter into a strategic joint venture with a large partner. The co-operation agreement we have made with Hydro gives us more power to go through with our plans," says NTE's Torbjorn Skjerve. He adds that the competence Hydro brings to the arrangement in terms of project management helped swing the deal. For Hydro's part, Jorgen C Arentz Rostrup says: "Hydro is very satisfied with the ambition that lies within the agreement. We want to become a major player in renewable energy production, not least by our co-operation with strong regional partners."