Hydro and Siemens cooperate on technology for full-scale demonstration of floating wind turbines

The Norwegian energy company Hydro and Siemens Power Generation (PG) have entered into an agreement to cooperate on technology to develop floating wind turbines based on Hydro's Hywind concept. Siemens will deliver the first wind turbine for the demonstration unit which will be positioned off the coast of Norway.

Locating wind turbines offshore has obvious advantages, such as reduced visual impact and increased power production due to strong and stable wind conditions. Floating offshore turbines could be installed at sites with greater water depths. Hydro currently has a license to place a demonstration turbine offshore near Karmoey, an island in the southwest of Norway. The company is also considering the possibility of locating the wind turbine near an oil installation with the aim of supplying it with renewable energy.

"We are pleased to get Siemens on the team," said Alexandra Bech Gjoerv, Head of New Energy at Hydro. "Siemens Power Generation is already a leading supplier of offshore wind turbines on fixed foundations. This new technology partnership will give us a leap forward in installing the world’s first floating wind turbine at sea."

"Making floating offshore foundations commercially viable is a significant technological challenge," said Andreas Nauen, Head of the Siemens PG Wind Power division. "Entering this strategic agreement with Hydro puts us in the best possible position to further expand our proven technology and leading position in the growth market sector of offshore wind farms."