Vestas today has agreed to acquire the technology assets of radar specialist OCAS AS, including its patented system to prevent aerial collisions such as turbine strikes while significantly reducing light pollution from wind power plants. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The purchase price has not been disclosed.
The OCAS system addresses community concerns about light pollution and aviation concerns about safety by using highly innovative and proprietary radar technology to detect approaching aircraft and activate warning systems. The system immediately turns on the turbine strobe lights as a visual warning and transmits an audio warning to the pilot’s VHF radio if the aircraft does not promptly change course.
The OCAS solution has been tested and approved by aviation authorities in Norway, Sweden and Canada and has been installed at more than 60 locations in Europe and North America. Regulatory approval in other countries is in progress.
“This acquisition by industry leader Vestas is a good testimony to the unique OCAS technology, and the highly competent team behind it,” said Erik Hagen, chairman of the board in OCAS. “We believe this opens up great opportunities for commercialising the product on a wider scale in the wind segment” said Shahzad Abid, CEO of OCAS.
Upon completion of the transaction, current OCAS employees will continue within the Vestas Technology R&D organisation to develop and integrate OCAS’ collision avoidance system into Vestas’ portfolio of wind power plant solutions.
