Two-Turbine Floater to Spin Offshore Norway

Swedish floating wind specialist Hexicon will develop a demonstrator project for floating wind power at Metcentre’s deep water area off of Norway’s coast.

The project, TwinWay, is a pilot to commercialise new offshore floating wind technology, Hexicon said.

The Stockholm-based Hexicon develops wind power projects in deepwater areas based on patented technology, and Norwegian Marine Energy Test Centre (Metcentre) provides facilities and assistance for testing new marine renewable energy technologies.

The two companies have signed an agreement to develop the TwinWay project based on Hexicon’s technology in Metcentre’s deepwater area in Norway.

The aim of the TwinWay project is to show proof of concept for Hexicon’s floating wind foundation through a twin wind turbine pilot unit designed for, installed, and operated at Metcentre.

Floating wind platforms enable installation in greater water depth, allowing higher average wind speed and lower visual impact, Hexicon said.

Marcus Thor, Chief Executive Officer of Hexicon, said: ”This is not only a great opportunity to demonstrate Hexicon’s patented technology and capability in project development, but foremost an important step for the floating wind sector. With this project we can demonstrate the clear benefits with offshore floating wind compared to onshore as well as bottom fixed offshore wind power, and how it is set to become a highly relevant part of the future renewable energy mix.”

The test area is located off of Norway’s southern coast and Metcentre has applied for consent for a new, larger capacity of 85 MW, expected to be granted in 2021.

Hexicon has signed a conditional site exclusivity agreement with a reservation of 6 MW.

The Swedish company has also recently partnered with Bechtel on a project to build and install multi-turbine floating offshore wind platforms off the UK.

In addition to demonstrating a 35 to 40 MW floating wind project, the team will also establish how the technology could be brought to market and explore the roles that local suppliers could play in shipbuilding, mooring, and installations, as well as the long-term serving needs of floating offshore wind, the companies said at the time.