First offshore wind project in Portugal concluded the testing phase – Express

EDP completed the offshore wind platform testing period Windfloat, a structure with two megawatts (MW) of power to over five years injected into the national grid more than 17 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy, covering the electricity consumption of more than 1,400 families, according to the average consumption profiles.

in a statement, EDP informs that the wind of Windfloat be towed back to the port. “In its place, in Aguçadoura, a new technology will be installed. The Windfloat project will continue a few kilometers north, in Viana do Castelo, which will be installed the first floating offshore wind farm with this technology, a project that will prepare the entire chain value for the subsequent entry into the commercial operating phase, “the company said.

” the five years of activity Windfloat proved the reliability of the technology solution in adverse weather conditions, having withstood waves over 17 meters and winds exceeding 60 knots. sea storms that did not affect the production capacity of the wind turbine based on a floating platform “, indicates the EDP.

Under the leadership of the EDP, the Windfloat project is developed by a consortium that integrates the technology partner Principle Power, Repsol, venture capital Portugal Ventures and metallurgical A. Silva Matos.

the installation of future wind farm that will use the technology faces Windfloat, however, a challenge. Is that to go into production this offshore park will need to be installed a connection submarine cable to the power grid in Viana do Castelo, an investment that has been proposed by REN – Redes Energéticas Nacionais, but have not had the “green light” Entity regulatory Energy Services (ERSE) and the Government.

the Government is, ultimately, the entity which will decide whether REN may or may not make the investment in submarine cable, since the state is the grantor of the concession of the electricity transmission network, operated by REN.

in the public consultation on the last REN’s investment plan the cost of the future park link project Windfloat has drawn criticism from various parties. REN budgeted an investment of 48 million euros (which would be recovered in tariffs paid by electricity consumers) in order to initially create a connection of up to 80 MW (25 MW Windfloat project and 55MW to other projects).