The 25 MW WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore wind farm is fully operational off the coast of Portugal, EDP has announced. The last of the wind farm’s three platforms has been commissioned, marking a “landmark achievement” for the floating offshore wind energy sector, the company said in a statement.
WindFloat Atlantic consists of three 8.4 MW wind turbines installed on floating structures designed by Principle Power. It has been developed by the Windfloat consortium, comprising EDP Renewables, Engie, Repsol and Principle Power and is the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm and the first floating wind farm in continental Europe. The MHI Vestas turbines are the largest ever installed on a floating platform.
“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,” EDP said, adding that the success of the project is “rooted in its technology” including the mooring technology, which can be installed in waters over 100 m deep and whose design offers stability in adverse weather and sea conditions.
Another key advantage was the assembly technology used: dry-dock assembly provided significant logistical and financial savings, and the platforms were towed using standard tug boats, EDP said. “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.” EDP said.
