Unique, Two-Bladed Floating Wind Turbine Farm To Be Installed In European Waters

Helicopter-inspired, twin-bladed wind turbines are set to be deployed off European shores by the first quarter of 2024 to generate more clean energy for the continent. 

A new partnership between Seawind Ocean Technology and Petrofac will deliver these floating wind energy plants to the Mediterranean Sea first, with an expansion to other locations in Europe upon its success. 

Most sea conditions can be covered with these turbines, which use a unique concrete structure to keep it afloat, including deepwater and areas which are prone to cyclones. The turbines can last up to 50 years, as reported by Yanko Design, and an active yaw control lets it reach higher speeds as well. 

On its website, Seawind states that its turbines’ specifications outperform the existing three-bladed ones that are conventionally used in other wind farms. This is due to an improvement in generation efficiency, as well as more stable rotors.

No vessels are required for installation, which will be carried out by Petrofac. Autoevolution reports that the entire system is made first in a harbor with crane systems, which reduces the cost and safety risks of attempting the maneuver out at sea.

Instead, Seawind says that it will be towed out to the site by tug upon completion, and the only thing that’s left to be done is anchoring it into place. In this first wind farm Seawind and Petrofac are working on, all this will be completed and the turbines will be operational by early 2024.

The firm has also stated that it intends to make the Seawind 6 turbine available commercially by next year, and the Seawind 12 will follow in 2024. 

[via autoevolution and Yanko Design, image via Seawind Ocean Technology]