SBM Offshore is targeting 2GW of global floating offshore wind opportunities.
The company stated that current opportunities for the floating offshore wind market amount to at least 6GW for the next decade and its ambition is to “co-develop or participate as a technology or turnkey provider in 2GW of this existing global pipeline”.
Total associated development expenditure over the next 7-8 years is estimated to be $150-200m SBM Offshore stated.
The investments will be generally phased so that significant de-risking of returns has occurred before the final investment decision, committing most of the expenditure, is taken.
SBM Offshore has taken a position as co-developer in floating offshore wind projects with the establishment of the joint venture Floventis Energy, with Cierco.
Floventis Energy seeks to secure seabed rights and relevant permits, to develop and implement technologies for floating offshore wind activities.
Floventis Energy’s first project is Llyr, which covers the lease of two 100MW floating wind test and demonstration sites in the Celtic Sea, for which the Crown Estate confirmed an intention to move forward with the lease process.
The formal award will be subject to a Habitats Regulations Assessment, following which, the project will progress with environmental assessments and surveys in line with the regulatory consent processes.
SBM Offshore is also providing and installing three floaters and mooring systems for the 25MW Provence Grand Large project.
Assembly of first sub-components has started as planned for the floating substructures to be ready for load-out and installation at the end of 2022.
This project is on track to be the first floating offshore wind project worldwide installed with tensioned leg platform technology.