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Windfloat project in Portugal, Source: WindFloat Atlantic project in Portugal / www.repsol.com

Clean energy for Portugal

Clean energy for Portugal

The world’s largest wind farm installed on a floating platform

According to data from REA, approximately 30% of the energy production for domestic purposes in Portugal has been based on renewable sources. This makes Portugal one of the countries that have reached its targets set after the RES Directive of 2009.

The annual production of renewable energy sources in Portugal as of 2018 amounted to 55.2% of the total production of which wind and hydraulic power have the highest ratio. This puts Portugal third in EU-28 after Austria and Denmark.

Windfloat project

One of the most significant projects in Portugal in terms of renewable energy sources is the Windfloat project. It envisaged the installation of offshore windfarms of special technology.

The problem with the installation of regular offshore wind farms has been very serious in Portugal. The issue to be overcome was the relatively deep waters close to the coast that did not allow for floating platforms to be installed.

The project started in late 2015 with a consortium of 4 companies - EDP Renewables (Portugal), Engie (France), Repsol (Spain), Principle Power Inc. The consortium, named Windplus,  aims to build three floating platforms with wind turbines. The innovative technology includes a semi-submersible foundation with a 2MW wind turbine.

On 31st December 2019, the first platform was connected to the electrical grid and is now operational. It connects the offshore wind turbine with a substation in Viana do Castello via a 20-km cable and provides 8,4 MW to increase power generation and decrease the non-renewable sources used in the Portuguese power supply.

The final aim, after the other two platforms become operational, is to supply 60,000 users a year with 25-MW power. The second platform has recently reached its final destination and is expected to be tested soon.

The project represents not only a significant technological advancement in the field of offshore wind farms. It also provides for the carbon-free-economy goals of Portugal and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

The project is co-financed by the Portuguese Government (€6 Mio), the European Commission (€29.9 Mio under NER300) and the European Investment Bank (€60 Mio loan) and became possible with the support of various public and private partners.

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