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Windplus is a consortium between EDP Renewables & ENGIE (now Ocean Winds -OW), Repsol, and Principle Power

The first floating wind farm in continental Europe is now fully operational

Press Release 27/07/2020 17:00
  • The last platform of WindFloat Atlantic has been connected to the grid, and the windfarm has been fully commissioned.
  • The three units are now supplying the Portuguese electrical grid with the energy generated by their 8.4 MW wind turbines, the largest turbines ever installed on a floating platform.
  • The commissioning of this floating wind farm is a landmark achievement for the sector as floating wind technology contributes to the diversification of energy sources, provides access to untapped marine areas and represent a major technological leap towards a carbon-free economy.
  • With a total installed capacity of 25 MW, WindFloat Atlantic is the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm.

27 July 2020 - 12:00 CEST | PDF | 566.58 KB

WindFloat Atlantic is now fully operational and supplying clean energy to Portugal's electrical grid. Following the connection of the last of the three platforms to the 20 km export cable connecting the wind farm to the substation at Viana do Castelo, Portugal, the construction of the wind farm is now complete. WindFloat Atlantic, which has a total installed capacity of 25 MW, is the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm, and it will generate enough energy to supply the equivalent of 60,000 users per year, saving almost 1.1 million tons of CO2.

This milestone cements the success of a decade-long project by the Windplus joint venture, ensuring access to the best wind resources in water depths that have previously been inaccessible. Windplus has successfully installed and connected three platforms - measuring 30 m in height with a 50 m distance between columns. Each is able to accommodate an 8.4 MW turbine, the largest ever installed on a floating platform.

The success of this project is rooted in its technology. Its mooring technology, for example, allows for installation in waters over 100 m deep, and its design offers stability in adverse weather and sea conditions. Another key advantage has been the assembly technology used: dry-dock assembly has provided significant logistical and financial savings, and the platforms have been towed using standard tug boats.

These technical advantages, among others, clearly show that Windfloat Atlantic's model is replicable in other areas where adverse seabed conditions or significant water depth mean that traditional bottom-fixed offshore wind technology is not an option.

Plataforma WindFloat Atlantic
About WindFloat Atlantic

The project is led by the Windplus consortium, comprising EDP Renewables (54.4%), ENGIE (25%), Repsol (19.4%) and Principle Power Inc. (1.2%). The platforms have been built jointly by the two Iberian countries: two of them were manufactured at the shipyards in Setúbal (Portugal), while the third was constructed in Avilés and Fene (Spain).

This initiative has had the support from public and private institutions, encouraging companies that are leaders in their respective markets to take part in the project; while the Government of Portugal, European Commission and the European Investment Bank have provided financial support. The partners that have made this project possible include, in addition to Principle Power, the joint venture Navantia/Windar, the A- Silva Matos Group, Bourbon, the wind turbine supplier MHI Vestas and dynamic cable supplier JDR Cables.

About WindFloat® technology
Because it can be placed in very deep waters, WindFloat® can unlock energy resources in vast areas of the sea, addressing major societal challenges, such as the clean energy transition, energy security and climate change, whilst bringing jobs, economic growth and opportunities for sustainable investment.
The advantages of this technology include aptness for dry-dock assembly and towing without the need for specialised towing craft, as well as not having to rely on complex offshore operations associated with the installation of traditional bottom-fixed structures. These factors contribute towards driving down lifecycle costs and reducing risks.
Additionally, the WindFloat® foundation can accommodate the world's largest available turbines, contributing to increasing energy production and making significant reductions in lifecycle costs.
About EDP Renewables (EDPR)
EDP Renováveis (Euronext: EDPR) is a global leader in the renewable energy sector and the world’s fourth-largest wind energy producer. With a sound development pipeline, first class assets and market-leading operating capacity, EDPR has undergone exceptional development in recent years and is currently present in 14 international markets (Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, the UK, and the US).
EDPR is committed to furthering social advances in terms of sustainability and integration. This is reflected by the inclusion of the company in the Bloomberg Gender Equality index and the fact that it has been certified as a Top Employer 2020 in Europe (Spain, Italy, France, Romania, Portugal and the United Kingdom), both of which recognise its employee-driven policies.
Energias de Portugal, S.A. (“EDP”), the principal shareholder of EDPR, is a global energy company and a leader in value creation, innovation and sustainability. EDP has featured on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 13 consecutive years.
About ENGIE
Our group is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services. Our purpose (“raison d’être”) is to act to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions, reconciling economic performance with a positive impact on people and the planet. We rely on our key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to our customers. With our 170,000 employees, our customers, partners and stakeholders, we are a community of Imaginative Builders, committed every day to more harmonious progress.
Turnover in 2019: 60.1 billion Euros. The Group is listed on the Paris and Brussels stock exchanges (ENGI) and is represented in the main financial indices (CAC 40, DJ Euro Stoxx 50, Euronext 100, FTSE Eurotop 100, MSCI Europe) and non-financial indices (DJSI World, DJSI Europe and Euronext Vigeo Eiris - World 120, Eurozone 120, Europe 120, France 20, CAC 40 Governance).
About OW
OW is a 50:50 offshore wind joint-venture, owned and created by EDPR and ENGIE in 2019. Both companies believe that offshore wind energy is becoming an essential part of the global energy transition, leading to the sector’s rapid growth and increased competitiveness. That is why they have included all their existing and pipeline offshore portfolio in the new company. OW has a strategic advantage and is well positioned to play a leading role in the offshore market. EDPR and ENGIE are combining their offshore wind assets and project pipeline in OW, starting with a total of 1.5 GW under construction and 4.0 GW under development, with the target of reaching 5 to 7 GW of projects in operation or under construction and 5 to 10 GW under advanced development by 2025. OW primarily targets markets in Europe, the United States and selected geographies in Asia, from where most of the growth is expected to come.
About Repsol
Repsol is a global multi-energy supplier that is working to facilitate the transition to an energy model with lower emissions. It employs more than 25,000 persons, has assets in 35 countries, and sells its products to 10 million customers in over 90 countries. It is an important player in the electricity and gas market in Spain, with over one million customers. Additionally, it operates low-emissions electricity generation assets and is developing a variety of photovoltaic and wind renewable energy projects. The company is a pioneer in the development of initiatives for sustainable mobility using more efficient fuels and new solutions, such as electric charging and autogas. It produces over 700,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and has one of Europe’s most efficient refining systems. Technology and digitization are mainstays of the company, which has set a goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, being the first company in the sector to adopt this ambitious target.
About Principle Power
Principle Power is a global energy technology and services company. The Company’s proven and in-demand WindFloat® floating technology is unlocking offshore wind potential worldwide by enabling projects to harvest the best wind resource, irrespective of water depth or seabed condition. Principle Power acts as a trusted partner to developers, independent power producers, utilities and EPCs, supporting its customers throughout the entire lifecycle of their projects. With over 100 MW under construction and advanced development in Portugal, Scotland, and France, and a multi-GW commercial pipeline globally, Principle Power is the market leader in floating offshore wind technology.