The DemoSATH project has achieved a significant milestone with the successful installation of its 2MW floating wind platform demonstrator in open sea.
The operation, carried out by the Windstaller Alliance, used its anchor handling vessel, the Normand Sapphire, along with local tugboats, to tow DemoSATH from the construction site in the Spanish port of Bilbao to the BiMEP test site 11 miles away.
Once at the 85 metre-deep BiMEP area two miles offshore in the Cantabrian Sea, the hook-up operation involved connecting the six pre-laid mooring lines to the structure’s single-point mooring turret.
Works in the BiMEP site are ongoing to finalize the connection of dynamic and static cable and pull-in to the DemoSATH’s turret which will enable energy transmission to the onshore electrical grid.
The project is expected to generate the equivalent electricity needs of 2,000 Spanish households a year.
“This milestone in the installation of the DemoSATH floating offshore wind project validates the years of steady commitment, resilience, and teamwork,” said Saitec Offshore Technologies chief operations officer David Carrascosa.
“Along the journey we have overcome some challenges that now serve as valuable lessons for future projects.
“We are proud of the achievements of our team, and the combined efforts of our collaborators. It’s thrilling to witness the DemoSATH project set sail, playing an integral role in the progression of renewable energy.”
During the two-year operational period at the BiMEP site, the SATH technology for floating offshore wind developed by Saitec Offshore Technologies will be tested, and the tasks related to its operation and maintenance requirements will be analyzed. The project also aims to gain deeper insights into the metocean challenges in open sea, particularly in the harsh conditions of the Cantabrian Sea. Additionally, the collection of data will provide valuable knowledge regarding the coexistence of the platform with the environment and other maritime activities.
“The offshore installation of the DemoSATH project is an important milestone on our way to the commissioning of RWE’s second floating demonstration project,” said RWE Offshore Wind chief executive Sven Utermöhlen.
“We see great potential for floating wind farms around the world as they unlock opportunities in countries with deeper coastal waters. As a floating pioneer the first-hand learnings from our demonstration projects are key to us optimizing our upcoming commercial scale projects and securing their safe delivery.”
The DemoSATH project benefits from the combination of Saitec Offshore Technologies engineering design skills, RWE’s expertise in the offshore wind industry and the experience brought by Kansai Electric Power (KEPCO) which joined the project earlier this year. In addition, the capabilities of multiple other companies involved and the institutional support from the Spanish Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology and the Basque Government institutions EVE and SPRI has ensured the success of the project.
“We take great pride in our achievement of pioneering a new frontier in offshore wind power generation by installing the innovative floating wind platform demonstrator, thanks to major contribution from our partners,” said KEPCO renewable energy division executive officer at Kazumi Ogura.
“We will continue to prioritize safety and work together as a team to advance the pioneering DemoSATH,” Ogura added.
“Through the DemoSATH project, we remain committed to continuous learning from the project and harnessing this knowledge to make progress towards achieving a zero-carbon society.”
With the installation of the unit now complete, the DemoSATH will enter a period of commissioning, which will be followed by the operational phase when electricity generation will commence. The floating wind platform has been designed and equipped to harness wind power in deep coastal waters and convert it into clean, renewable energy.