Spain-based Saitec Offshore Technologies (www.saitec-offshore.com) and the Biscay Marine Energy Platform (BiMEP), an open sea test site, have signed a contract to install the DemoSATH Project off the Basque Coast — the first grid-connected floating wind turbine.

The project will test the floating wind turbine connected to the Spanish grid using SATH (Swinging Around Twin Hull) Technology which is based on a twin hull made of modularly prefabricated and subsequently braced concrete elements. The float can align itself around a single point of mooring according to the wind and wave direction.

Marine operations are planned by the end of 2021. DemoSATH is expected to supply electricity to almost 2,000 homes. With a 2MW wind turbine, the 30m wide x 67m long structure will be assembled in the port of Bilbao. From there, it will be towed to its anchorage point in BiMEP, two miles off the coast where the sea is around 85m deep.

BiMEP is a public company established in 2011 for the development, construction, operation, maintenance and management of an open sea testing centre.

Luis González-Pinto, COO of Saitec Offshore Technologies, said: “This real-scale demonstrator is a massive step for us. It is a major milestone that could be considered as one of the most challenging gates to go through in order to achieve commercialisation.

“As if this was not enough, we have the chance to develop this project in our homeland using the BiMEP testing area. The Basque Country has a very active industry on the offshore wind sector, and we think that this project could become the spearhead for a Basque floating wind sector.”

David Carrascosa, CTO of Saitec Offshore Technologies, said: “The DemoSATH Project will not only focus on technological validation, it will also prove the local content potential of SATH’s manufacturing as a result of the combination of both civil construction and offshore supply chains. We estimate that at least 70% of the contracting budget will be awarded to local industry.”

The main aim of the testing is to analyse the floating wind turbine's behaviour in operational and extreme conditions, collect data and gain real-life knowledge from the construction, operation and maintenance of the unit.

The pilot project will last 3.5 years — 18 months for the planning and construction of the plant, followed by a two-year operating phase. The ultimate objective is to gather data and experience for future commercial projects.

As most of the coastal areas in the world have depths greater than 60m, floating offshore wind has huge potential to generate clean energy in the future.