Next Level for Floating Wind Energy

innogy SE, Shell and Stiesdal Offshore Technologies A/S (SOT) are bringing floating wind to the next level: The partners have taken the final investment decision on the TetraSpar floating foundation demonstration project which will be tested off the Norwegian coast in 2020. Its modular layout consists of a tubular steel main structure with a suspended keel. It is expected to offer important competitive advantages over existing floating wind concepts, with the potential for leaner manufacturing, assembly and installation processes with lower material costs. The project has a budget of €18 million.

All partners will be part of a project team that will gain detailed, practical insights into the construction, installation and operation of the TetraSpar concept as well as detailed performance data.

James Cotter, Project Manager Shell, said: “Shell is working to grow our renewable power business and sees great promise in floating wind technologies that could change the face of the offshore wind industry over the next decade. We want to help accelerate this change by sharing our offshore expertise with our partners in order to progress innovative solutions such as TetraSpar.”

"innogy is seeking offshore growth opportunities worldwide and we are confident that floating wind is going to be an important growth market in the future. This demonstration project lays the foundation for this by giving us a better understanding of both the technical insights and how the cost of floating wind can be driven down," said Martin Ferreira, Head of Offshore Investment & Asset Management at innogy SE.