Agreement Signed: Cooperation For Offshore Hybrid Wind-solar Project Off The Italian Coast Can Begin
Rotterdam, The Netherlands - The technology for offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) systems is still at an early stage. The project partners have high hopes for a wind-solar project that is being planned off the Italian coast. According to the companies involved, this is a milestone project for accelerating the scaling of offshore PV technology.
540 MW hybrid project planned off the coast of Calabria
The Corigliano offshore hybrid wind-solar park is to be built in the Gulf of Taranto off the coast of Corigliano-Rossano in Calabria. It is planned that the hybrid project will consist of 28 floating 15 MW wind turbines with a total capacity of 420 MW and an OFPV system with a capacity of 120 MWp. The total capacity of the hybrid project will therefore be 540 MW. The floating solar park alone is expected to generate more than 160 million kWh (160 GWh) of solar power per year.
The project will utilize Solar Duck's elevated platform technology. According to the solar company, this unique technology makes it possible to install PV modules even in considerable wave heights while ensuring a safe working environment for access and maintenance. With their strategic collaboration, the companies also aim to demonstrate the use of the complementarity of wind and solar energy resources and prove the potential of the technology in Italy and the wider Mediterranean region.
"With the current momentum, we believe this is a unique opportunity for the offshore renewable energy industry to help shape a favorable regulatory framework and facilitate the scaling of OFPV. This is not just important for Italy, but also for other countries in the Mediterranean. Our collaboration with New Developments and Green Arrow Capital can also serve as a catalyst for OFPV in Italy," says Solar Duck CEO Koen Burgers. The project is part of Green Arrow Capital's Infrastructure of the Future Fund ("GAIF"), which invests in renewable energy and digital infrastructure in high-potential markets in Europe.
Partners expect improvement in framework conditions for offshore energy projects in Italy
Italy has announced measures to simplify the requirements for offshore wind projects and, in the view of the project partners, has thus laid the foundation for renewable energies in the sea. Further steps are expected soon, according to the companies. As part of the national economic stimulus package, commitments have been made to further simplify the approval procedures for renewable offshore installations. The FER2 decree is expected to soon introduce mechanisms to promote renewable energy projects, including floating offshore solar parks. According to the companies, this will enable Italy to exploit its huge maritime potential and play a key role in the EU's ambitious decarbonization targets.
About the project partners
SolarDuck is a Dutch-Norwegian cleantech company bringing an innovative floating offshore solar solution to the market. The company aims to advance the development of floating offshore solar farms by utilizing its unique and patented technology.
Green Arrow Capital is one of Italy's leading independent asset managers in the field of alternative investments. To date, around 200 companies have invested in GAC's funds, of which almost 90 percent are represented by institutions (banks, sovereign wealth funds, funds of funds, bank foundations, insurance funds, pension funds and insurance companies) and around 20 percent are of international origin.
New Developments is an Italian cleantech company specializing in floating offshore wind technology. The company provides engineering services to a wide range of public and private clients.
Source: IWR Online, 07 Mar 2024
