Principle winds down Windfloat

Principle Power has decommissioned the 2MW WindFloat 1 prototype floating turbine that had been deployed off the northern coast of Portugal. 

The company said the project, which had been installed in 2011, featured a Vestas V80 2MW turbine.

The project completed all of its project objectives in July, when Principle Power initiated the decommissioning process. 

The foundation was detached from its mooring lines and electrical cable, and towed back to the PortSines facility in southern Portugal, where the wind turbine was dissembled. 

It was the first time an offshore wind turbine had been dismounted from a floating foundation and “it demonstrated the procedures to be used in commercial projects in the event of unanticipated major component failure”, Principle Power said.

The turbine has been transferred to another project and inspections show the WindFloat foundation to be in “excellent condition”, the company added.

Principle Power president and chief executive Joao Metelo said: “The WindFloat’s very successful five-year deployment, in the open ocean of the Atlantic, has proven that the technology can meet its promise and is ready for commercialisation.”

Principle Power is now completing design for the 25MW WindFloat Atlantic project, also planned for deployment off northern Portugal.

The project is backed by a consortium including: EDP Renewables, Trust Wind a (50:50 joint venture between Engie and Marubeni), Chiyoda Corp, Mitsubishi Corp and Repsol. 

Image: Principle Power