WindFloat Atlantic Project: Turbine Assembly Has Started

This project marks the first floating wind farm in continental Europe and a key milestone for the renewable energy sector as this is the largest turbine ever to be installed on a floating platform.   

The fabrication and load out of this first WindFloat was successfully completed last week in Fene, and the platform has been moored to the quayside in Ferrol, where the installation of the wind turbine will begin. The finished floating structure will then depart for its final destination off the coast of Viana do Castelo (Portugal) at the end of summer.

The project is conducted by the Windplus consortium, which is jointly owned by EDP Renováveis (54.4%), ENGIE (25%), Repsol (19.4%) and Principle Power Inc. (1.2%). The wind farm will consist of three 5 MW turbines which will be mounted on floating platforms anchored to the seabed, and will collectively deliver an installed capacity of 25 MW. The wind farm will be located 20 kilometers off the coast of Viana do Castelo, where the water depth reaches 100 meters. 

The project has secured support from both public and private entities, attracting investments  from market-leading companies, as well as financial support from the European Commission (through the NER300 Programme), the Government of Portugal and the European Investment Bank.

Among the suppliers that have made this project possible are Principle Power, Navantia/Windar Joint Venture, A. Silva Matos Group, Bourbon, along with turbine supplier MHI Vestas, and dynamic cable supplier JDR Cables.