Project at Figueira da Foz will exploit high wind strengths and the existing port infrastructure
A joint venture created to promote floating offshore windfarms in the Iberian Peninsula has announced its first project for Portugal.
IberBlue Wind has unveiled plans for a 990MW floating offshore windfarm off the coast of Figueira da Foz.
Called Botafogo after a 16th century galleon that became known as the most powerful warship of its time, the windfarm will occupy an area of 359 km2 and will have 55 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 18MW.
Figueira da Foz is one of five areas proposed by the Portuguese government for offshore renewable energy exploration.
IberBlue Wind vice-president Adrián de Andrés explained: “Figueira da Foz is a region with great potential.
“Besides the high wind strengths and the existing port infrastructure, it’s located near to the centre of the country where there is significant demand for energy from both industrial and private consumers”.
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IberBlue Wind says the development of the project will create thousands of jobs, most for development and construction and the rest for the operation and maintenance of turbines once oprational.
The Botafogo windfarm will be built on floating platforms anchored to the seabed allowing it to be located 30-50 km from the coast.
2GW of Iberian Peninsula potential
IberBlue Wind is a joint venture between Irish floating offshore wind company Simply Blue Group and Spanish companies Proes Consultores, the engineering division of Grupo Amper, and renewable energy developer FF New Energy Ventures.
It aims to develop at least 2GW of offshore wind capacity off the Iberian Peninsula using floating windfarms, each comprising 500MW or more.
IberBlue Wind announced a project in Spain last November. Nao Victoria will be in the Alboran Sea, off the coasts of Cadiz and Malaga, on an area of 310 km2 and also with an installed capacity of 990MW.
The company says it is working on several other projects for the Iberian Peninsula which it plans to announce soon.
Read more: Equinor’s Trine Borum Bojsen on how to unlock wind potential of North Sea
Watch: The role of healthy oceans in our energy transition
