Offshore wind power has been gaining momentum in recent years, and now the industry is looking to the final frontier: floating wind. This technology allows turbines to be installed in deeper waters than fixed-bottom foundations, benefiting from stronger and more continuous winds that can generate more energy. Governments around the world are already holding auctions for traditional and floating wind projects, granting companies licenses to develop projects and offering power purchase agreements to those that can generate energy.
Britain is one of the pioneers in offshore wind, holding regular contracts-for-difference (CfD) auctions that guarantee a price for electricity, giving developers the confidence to finance projects. Earlier in March, the country announced 13 winners for seabed leases, including Flotation Energy and Cerulean Winds, to develop projects primarily for North Sea oil and gas companies that could produce more than five gigawatts (GW) of capacity.
Britain is also planning to offer offshore licenses for up to 4 GW of floating wind technology capacity in the Celtic Sea later this year. France is another country preparing to hold auctions for seabed licenses and power deals for 250 MW off the coast of Brittany and two 250 MW stretches in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Italy aims to auction up to 1 GW of offshore wind, including floating technology, in 2023 or 2024.
Norway is also developing its offshore wind industry and has recently opened tenders to build wind farms, including areas for floating wind power. This move is in response to the growing demand for electricity at home and to build a new industry. Spain, on the other hand, is expected to hold an auction for floating wind site licenses in the Canary Islands regions by the end of 2023.
Taiwan is yet another country pushing forward its offshore wind ambitions by planning to hold an auction for site licenses and power take-off agreements for three GW, which includes offshore wind, this year. The country has set a target of having 15.5 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2035.
Floating wind technology holds enormous potential in the energy industry, as it can access deeper waters where winds are stronger and more persistent, enabling companies to generate more clean energy. As per information from the sourcecountries around the world are now looking to harness this technology’s power to meet the increasing demand for electricity and reduce carbon emissions.
In conclusion, while traditional offshore wind has already proven to be an incredible source of clean energy, the development of floating wind technology provides a significant opportunity to take the industry’s potential even further. With countries around the world offering licenses and power purchase agreements for this technology, the future of renewable energy looks very bright.
