Naturgy and Equinor project an offshore wind farm of more than 200 megawatts in the Canary Islands

Naturgy and the Norwegian Equinor announced on Tuesday that they are working on the development of the Floating Offshore Wind Canarias (Fowca) project, with which they want to opt for the installation of more than 200 MW of floating offshore wind in the maritime space of eastern Gran Canaria.

Naturgy and the Norwegian Equinor announced on Tuesday that they are working on the development of the Floating Offshore Wind Canarias (Fowca) project, with which they want to opt for the installation of more than 200 MW of floating offshore wind in the maritime space of eastern Gran Canaria.

According to Naturgy, this project, which would be connected to Red Eléctrica Española’s Barranco de Tirajana substation, will be developed with semi-submersible floating platform technology that, among other advantages, allows the installation of structures furthest from the coast.

This offshore wind farm would reduce CO2 emissions equivalent to 350,000 cars per year. In addition, according to the study commissioned to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, it is estimated that the project could generate more than 2,500 jobs in all its phases, including direct, indirect and induced positions.

Spain’s first offshore wind auction is expected to take place in the Canary Islands, as the region offers excellent wind conditions. Likewise, the Islands have a shipyard industry that could transform its activity from oil platforms to platforms for marine renewable energies, since part of the manufacture and assembly could be carried out in local shipyards.

Equinor and Naturgy sealed an agreement to work together on the analysis of opportunities for the development of offshore wind power in Spain. Both companies intend to take advantage of their complementary capabilities to develop this technology, which has great potential in Spanish waters.

In this alliance, the Spanish energy company will contribute its experience in the development of onshore wind and the Norwegian company will contribute with its proven capabilities in offshore floating technology.

Source: The Vanguard