Floating wind developer Simply Blue Group and Eni’s renewables business, Plenitude, have signed an agreement to develop a pipeline of floating offshore wind projects off Italy.
The first two floating offshore wind developments have already been submitted to the relevant authorities.
The Messapia facility, located 30 km off the Otranto coast, will have a total capacity of 1.3GW and the Krimisa site, located 45 km off the coast of Crotone, will have a total capacity of 1.1GW.
Through the collaboration, the partners will combine Plenitude’s technical and financial capabilities and experience in the Italian energy market, with Simply Blue Group’s track record in developing global floating wind projects.
Italian energy company Eni holds a majority stake in Plenitude, following an IPO in 2022.
The partners will work alongside local communities and other key industry players to develop innovative technological solutions and consolidate the Italian floating offshore wind supply chain.
Plenitude CEO Stefano Goberti said: “With this partnership, Plenitude expands its portfolio of floating wind projects in line with its target of reaching 15GW of renewable capacity by 2030 and reaffirms its commitment to creating an offshore wind supply chain in Italy.
“Offshore wind is a key contributor to the energy transition path and the achievement of our 2040 carbon neutrality targets to provide fully decarbonised energy to our customers.”
Sam Roch-Perks, Group CEO of Simply Blue Group, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with Plenitude and increasing our pipeline of global projects.
“Italy represents a big opportunity in floating offshore wind, and we look forward to combining our expertise and delivering innovative projects that will provide real solutions to the climate crisis.”