LISBON, Portugal — The IberBlue Wind joint venture (JV) plans to develop a floating offshore wind farm off the coast of Figueira da Foz, Portugal.
Figueira da Foz is one of five areas proposed by the Portuguese government for offshore renewable energy exploration. According to IberBlue Wind, it offers a combination of high wind potential, port infrastructure and potentially low impact on other activities nearby.
The planned development, named Botafogo after the 16th Century Portuguese warship, will occupy a 359-sq-km area covered by 55 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 18 MW (990 MW in total).
IberBlue Wind has already engaged with ports and regional and local institutions on its proposals, which it says will create thousands of jobs, mostly for the development and construction phase of the wind farm. The remainder will be for operation and maintenance crews following startup.
Botafogo will be constructed on floating platforms anchored to the seabed, 30-50 km offshore.
IberBlue Wind stated on its website, "This project aims to be a springboard for Portugal to progress toward a net-zero future, which will contribute to the Portuguese government's goal of reaching 10 GW of installed offshore wind power by 2030."
IberBlue Wind is a JV between Ireland’s Simply Blue Group and Spanish companies Proes Consultores and FF New Energy Ventures. It aims to develop at least 2 GW of offshore wind capacity offshore the Iberian Peninsula via floating wind farms, each of 500 MW or higher.
Last November the JV announced the Nao Victoria in the Alboran Sea, on a 310-sq-km area offshore Cadiz and Malaga, with a planned capacity of 990 MW.
02.17.2023
