Ocean Winds, Martifer Join Forces for Portugal’s First Offshore Wind Tender

July 24, 2024, by Adnan Memija

Ocean Winds and Martifer Renewables & Energy have formed a strategic partnership to jointly participate in Portugal’s first tender for offshore wind farms, set to take place this year.

As the industry anticipates the final criteria for the tender, Ocean Winds, a joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE, and Martifer are preparing comprehensive proposals, including with key national suppliers and infrastructures, aligned with national objectives to support Portugal’s energy transition goals, said the partners.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Martifer Renewables & Energy for the first historic tender, that should soon be announced. Ocean Winds has been developing and operating successfully the WindFloat Atlantic floating offshore wind farm from its operations & maintenance base in the port of Viana do Castelo,” said José Pinheiro, Country Manager South Europe for Ocean Winds.

“Adding this local experience to its international expertise in offshore wind and now combining it with Martifer’s unique position and industrial capabilities and capacity, will enable the partnership to deliver efficient, reliable and sustainable offshore wind projects, reinforcing Portugal’s leading position in renewable energy while bringing true value to the country.”

Recently, EDF Renewables also unveiled that it had signed an exclusivity agreement with Repsol to collaborate on future offshore wind tenders in Spain and Portugal.

In January 2023, the country’s Ministry of Economy and Maritime Affairs, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action released draft areas for offshore wind development as part of the government’s plan to award 10 GW of capacity by 2030.

The government proposed putting the areas out to tender in phases, with three areas totalling 3.5 GW to be offered in the first phase.

Portugal launched the initial phase of the first offshore wind auction at the end of October 2023 by issuing the call for expressions of interest.

Fifty entities from more than ten countries submitted their expressions of interest, including Ocean Winds, Iberdrola, RWE, Equinor, Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, Repsol, and others.