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Floating offshore wind farm in Portugal.

By: Chris Anderson 16/11/2015 EDPR/Edited by 4C

Foundations General Windfarms

EDP Renewables, Mitsubishi Corporation (through its subsidiary Diamond Generating Europe), Chiyoda Corporation (through its subsidiary Chiyoda Generating Europe), Engie and Repsol announce today an agreement to implement a floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Northern Portugal, known as the WindFloat Atlantic (WFA) project.

The project, located 20 km off the Portuguese coast at Viana do Castelo, is planned to be operational in 2018 and will consist of 3 or 4 wind turbines on floating foundations, accounting for a total capacity of 25 MW. The WindFloat Atlantic (WFA) project will benefit from the support of the European Commission, through the NER 300 program, and of the Portuguese Government through the Portuguese Carbon Fund. It was also selected for the InnovFin program by the European Investment Bank.

The consortium will use the WindFloat technology, an innovative semi-submersible foundation developed by Principle Power, Inc. This technology was already implemented in a first of its kind prototype called WindFloat 1 near Póvoa do Varzim. It comprises 2 MW Vestas V80 commercial wind turbine mounted on a WindFloat floating offshore wind turbine foundation.

The prototype has already produced more than 16 GWh over almost four years of operation – performing excellently through extreme weather conditions. Its successful results have been key for the creation of this consortium and the launch of the WindFloat Atlantic project, the aim of which is to demonstrate the economic potential and reliability of this technology, advancing it further in the path towards commercialisation.

Additionally, Principle Power has signed a cooperation agreement with Shell for the continued development of floating offshore wind technology. The agreement leverages the collective expertise of Principle Power, in the design of floating offshore wind foundations, and Shell, in the deployment of floating offshore oil and gas platforms worldwide.

Joao Metelo We are excited to have such a strong consortium, of industry leaders investing in such important project for Principle Power,” said João Metelo, CEO of Principle Power. “It is also a great privilege to welcome Shell as a technology partner. Shell provides our team access to an unparalleled knowledge base, crucial in realizing the WindFloat as a paradigm shift, in both cost and risk, to the offshore wind industry. Today’s announcements represent key milestones on the path to commercialization for the WindFloat technology and further demonstrate its financial viability and competitiveness.”

This project represents a key step forward in establishing the WindFloat technology as a leader in deep water offshore wind power generation.

Principle Power, founded in 2007, is a technology and services provider to the offshore wind industry. Principle Power’s major shareholders include EDP Ventures (the EDP Group corporate VC), Repsol Energy Ventures (the Repsol Group corporate VC), ASM Industries and Portugal Ventures. Principle Power’s innovative and proven technology, the WindFloat – a floating wind turbine foundation – provides access to transitional and deep-water offshore wind sites. This technology assists the ongoing development of the offshore wind industry as whole, opens new deep water markets, and has the potential to substantially decreases the cost and risk profile of offshore wind projects. Principle Power, with offices in the USA, Portugal and France, sells the WindFloat as a technology solution and acts as a service provider to developers, independent power producers, and utilities engaged in the rapidly expanding global offshore wind market.

João Metelo, CEO of Principle Power

To see project on Interactive map click this link

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Floating offshore wind farm in Portugal.

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