EMEC to Test Saipem Floater Offshore Ireland

A consortium led by the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has secured funding from Interreg North West Europe to test Saipem’s floating wind technology offshore Ireland.

The Accelerating Market Uptake of Floating Offshore Wind Technology (AFLOWT) project is expected to demonstrate the survivability and cost-competitiveness of floating offshore wind.

Under the EUR 31 million project, a floating wind turbine will be tested at SEAI’s Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS) off Ireland’s west coast for one year once planning, permitting and supply chain requirements are in place.

According to the center, deployment is currently planned for 2022.

“If floating offshore wind technology can operate reliably and efficiently on the west coast of Ireland, it will work anywhere. Through this project we hope that the successful technology demonstrations will fundamentally expand the global offshore wind market,” said Oliver Wragg, Commercial Director at EMEC.

Saipem will be supported by project partners Cable Life Cycle Assurance (CaLiCyA) in France, Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN), Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES) in Germany, University College Cork and Electricity Supply Board Engineering & Major Projects (ESB E&MP) in Ireland.

The project is also expected to support the development of an active supply chain in the region.

“This project represents for us a unique opportunity to prove our Floating Wind technology in severe environments,” said Stefano Porcari, CEO of Saipem’s E&C Offshore Division and Saipem SA. “

“Together with our consortium partners, we will work on the feasibility and the cost effectiveness of this floating offshore wind project for a low carbon emission energy environment.”