World’s first semisubmersible turbines may help solve offshore wind concerns

As the U.S. offshore wind industry grapples with rising installation costs and environmental concerns, a renewable energy project in Portugal may provide a viable alternative. Located a little over 12 miles off the Portuguese coast, WindFloat Atlantic developed the world’s first semisubmersible wind farm in 2020, and the facility has been proving its potential to shake up the offshore wind sector.

The wind farm consists of three floating platforms, each equipped with a wind turbine, which can be raised or lowered based on changing water levels. These platforms are anchored to the seafloor, ensuring stability even in severe weather conditions.

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One of the key advantages of the semisubmersible design is its cost-effectiveness. These turbines are reportedly 50% cheaper to build than traditional monopile foundation systems used in many offshore wind farms. Additionally, these types of turbines have shown they can be environmentally beneficial, with surveys indicating that floating wind farms contribute to undersea conservation efforts and the formation of coral reefs.

“We are proud to see that our project progresses each year toward having a more positive impact,” Jose Miguel Moreira Pinheiro, project director of WindFloat Atlantic, said in a statement. “We are deeply committed to ensuring that our project benefits not only the environment but also the community.”

The energy production from WindFloat Atlantic’s project has also exceeded expectations. Since it began operations, the wind farm has outperformed initial projections. It now generates enough electricity to power 25,000 homes annually while preventing the release of approximately 33,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year — the equivalent of removing nearly 8,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road.