Floating offshore wind energy is a concept that has been around for years. However, recently this technological advancement has moved from prototype state to first large-scale real world projects. The main benefit of floating offshore projects is that it enables the creation of wind parks in areas with higher sea depths. In this article, we are introducing three exciting renewable energy investors from our list of European renewable energy investors, which are actively investing in floating offshore wind projects.
1) TotalEnergies (France)
One active investor in the field is TotalEnergies. The French oil major is shifting its focus from fossil fuels to renewable energy. In May 2022, the firm agreed on an investment in the 30MW EolMed floating offshore wind farm off France’s Mediterranean coast. The project is composed of three wind turbines from Vestas with 10MW peak power. Construction of the project is expected later in 2022. The project will be realized by a consortium of developer Qair, TotalEnergies, and BW Ideol. Already in 2020, Total announced its first investment with renewable energy developer Simply Blue Energy to acquire 80% of the floating wind project Erebus, which is located in the Celtic Sea. Until then, TotalEnergies was mainly focused on offshore wind projects with fixed bottom technology. The Erebus project has a capacity of 96MW, the water depth amounts to 70 meters.
2) Orsted (Denmark)
Another major firm in the field is Danish wind pioneer Orsted. The firm is one of the leading developers and investors in wind energy, globally but especially in Europe. In April 2022, the firm acquired an 80% stake in the 100MW Salamater floating offshore wind project on the Scottish coast. The project was realized by Simply Blue Group. Furthermore, a consortium of Orsted, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy has entered an Option Agreement for a major floating wind project with over 1GW capacity off north-east Scotland.
3) Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (Denmark)
Another major European renewable energy firm that has entered the floating offshore wind field is Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). The firm has announced a 750MW offshore wind project in Italy, together with GreenIT, in April 2022. Being realized in Sicily and Sardinia, the project shall prevent 1M tonnes of CO2 emissions and produce 50% more energy than an onshore wind farm. The two wind farms of the project will use floating platforms. In total, 21 turbines with 12MW each contribute to the 250MW of the first project in Sicily.
Image Source Unsplash 13.05.2022
