A UN-recognised initiative and Naval Energies have agreed to support the development of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants and floating wind projects among small island developing states.
The signing ceremony between Naval Energies and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy and Climate Resilience Organisation took at UN Headquarters, in New York city.
SIDS DOCK and Naval Energies will collaborate to foster the development of these technologies in small island countries, recognising that the ocean is the largest renewable resource for SIDS.
Floating wind turbines are powered by nearshore wind to feed the islands’ grids with a reliable, sustainable and renewable new source of electricity for their renewable mix without taking up limited space on land.
SIDS DOCK and Naval Energies will cooperate with regional organisations, the small island countries and the renewable energies stakeholders to promote the development of these technologies.
Together, the partners said they will advocate marine renewable energy development, gathering experts and mobilising resources to perform site and feasibility studies to attract sponsors and investors to finance projects.
Naval Energies chief executive Laurent Schneider-Maunoury said: “We are very pleased to sign this partnership with SIDS DOCK and look forward to a fruitful collaboration to develop marine renewable energies projects in small islands in the Caribbean, Pacific and Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
“OTEC deep-sea conversion plants will contribute to supply islands with a unique combination of renewable electricity, air-conditioning, fresh water and aquaculture and will help address the energy-water-waste nexus.”
“The generation of renewable electricity with floating offshore wind turbine shall also power the islands’ closed grid with a reliable new source of renewable energy with no land pressure.”