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Feb 19, 2020
Offshore wind is slowly getting ready to float
On 31 December 2019, the first of the three floating platforms of the 25 MW WindFloat Atlantic project, developed by the consortium led by EDP Renewables, was installed and started to generate electricity a few days later. The three 8.4 MW MHI Vestas wind turbines are the largest ever installed on a floating structure. This major milestone followed Equinor's final investment decision to build the 88 MW Hywind Tampen farm, and Shell's acquisition of EOLFI. Backed by oil and gas companies and European utilities, the industry seems ready to move on into the industrial phase. However, the lack of consensus in terms of design and standardization could inhibit a promising development.
Approximately 80% of potential offshore wind resources are in waters deeper than 60 m, where the installation of conventional gravity, monopile, tripod and jacket foundations is challenged. In addition, floating technology enables to reach higher capacity factors due to stronger winds farther from shore, providing more consistent and predictable power generation. Thus, floating could open an access to nearly 7 TW of additional offshore wind capacity in new markets across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific.
Figure 1: Offshore wind potential by water depth versus foundations track record
Currently, five floating concepts with different mooring system, materials used, minimum required deployment depth, and the way buoyancy is achieved are competing to become the industry standard. Recent activities by large energy companies should accelerate this industry choice. However, the pace of new developments will depend on how quickly the industry agrees on the preferred designs and moves on to the mass production phase.
IHS Markit closely monitors the offshore wind sector globally and publishes data, key insights and market analysis. Learn more about our offshore wind research.
Andrei Utkin is a senior analyst with the Gas, Power, and Energy Futures team at IHS Markit.
Posted 19 February 2020.
This article was published by S&P Global Commodity Insights and not by S&P Global Ratings, which is a separately managed division of S&P Global.
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