Norwegian developer Deep Wind Offshore has applied for a area lease for one floating and one bottom-fixed offshore wind farm off the Chilean coastline.
The Chilean government has set a target of 60% of the nation’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030.
By 2040, the annual electricity offtake is expected to grow by 65% compared to 2021.
Deep Wind Offshore is committed to contributing with offshore wind in GW scale, the developer said.
The offshore wind projects will be managed and operated locally, with a goal to create local jobs, engage local suppliers, and to involve stakeholders – such as artisanal and industrial fisheries.
The launch was marked with an event in Concepción, while the country’s Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism Nicolas Grau and Minister of Energy Diego Pardow gave video speeches.
The Minister of Economy said “initiatives such as this important Deep Wind Offshore investment project in the Biobío region, represent a great opportunity for all the industrial capacities of the region and will be able to contribute with clean energy and at a lower cost for the country”.
The Minister of Energy added “it is very good news to know that Deep Wind Offshore, a renewable energy company, for the first time is going to develop a project in Chile, since the decarbonisation of the electricity sector will be key in the energy transition and in meeting our climate and environmental goals”.
Deep Wind Offshore chief commercial officer Hans Petter Øvrevik said: “Adding another continent to our world map is a great milestone for Deep Wind Offshore.
“After carefully considering several markets in Latin America, we decided to enter Chile because the country has very strong fundamentals in terms of world class wind resources, growing demand for renewables, well defined regulatory regime, and a friendly investment climate.
“To succeed, co-existence is crucial, and we will develop these projects together with local communities and other users of the sea.”