wiredinUSA July

INDEX

Principle Power and partners premier Portugal

at sea. All final assembly, installation and pre-commissioning of the turbine and substructure took place on land in a controlled environment. The complete system was then wet-towed offshore using simple tug vessels. The WindFloat is equipped with a Vestas v80 2.0MW turbine capable of producing enough electricity for 1,300 households. The system is located 5km off the coast of Agucadoura, Portugal, and has already produced in excess of 1.7 GWh. The WindFloat permits utilities to target the highest quality wind resources, independent of water depth. In addition, projects can realize significant cost and risk reductions as a result of the onshore fabrication and commissioning scheme. The WindFloat has already endured a harsh winter environment in the open Atlantic, having withstood waves of up to 15 meters. The system performed within predictions and power production figures support the joint-venture’s vision of the WindFloat’s significant role in the global offshore wind market.

Portugal’s first offshore wind turbine was inaugurated in mid-June, the result of a partnership between Principle Power, Energias de Portugal, Repsol, A Silva Matos (ASM), Vestas Wind Systems A/S and InovCapital.

Picture : www.bigstockphoto.com ‘Spring’ Photographer - ‘ Rafal Steciuk’

wiredInUSA - July 2012 EUROPE NEWS

The turbine is installed on a floating foun- dation called the WindFloat. In addition to being the first offshore wind turbine in Portugal, this is the first offshore wind turbine to be installed without the use of any heavy lift vessels or piling equipment

EUROPE NEWS

wiredInUSA - July 2012

25

24