OSLO: Norway has officially inaugurated the world’s largest floating wind park in the North Sea, a significant stride in the quest for greener energy solutions and a promising technology for the transition away from fossil fuels.
The Hywind Tampen field, comprising 11 turbines capable of producing up to 8.6 megawatts each, stands as a groundbreaking achievement that could help reshape the energy landscape.
Situated approximately 140 kilometers (87 miles) offshore, the Hywind Tampen wind park began production at the close of the previous year and was formally inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. This innovative project serves to supply about 35 percent of the energy needs of five neighboring oil-and-gas platforms.
Unlike conventional offshore wind turbines fixed to the seabed, the turbines in the Hywind Tampen field are mounted on floating structures anchored to the seabed. This technology enables the installation of turbines in deeper waters and farther from the coast, where wind conditions tend to be more consistent and stronger. Though the construction of floating wind turbines is more expensive, their potential benefits in harnessing offshore wind resources have prompted the investment.
Norway Emphasizes Critical Role of Renewable Energy to Combat Climate Challenges
The Hywind Tampen project is owned by a consortium of energy companies including Norway’s state-owned Equinor and Petoro, Austria’s OMV, Var Energi (the Norwegian subsidiary of Italy’s Eni), Germany’s Wintershall DEA, and Japan’s Inpex. The construction of the wind park, situated at depths ranging from 260 to 300 meters (853 to 984 feet), required an investment of approximately 7.4 billion kroner ($691 million).
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store emphasized the significance of the Hywind Tampen wind park in light of Europe’s growing demand for electricity and the global push for cleaner energy sources. “This electricity must be from renewable sources if Europe wants to reach its climate goals,” Store remarked, highlighting the critical role of renewable energy in addressing climate challenges.
While the initial investment is substantial, the success of the Hywind Tampen project reinforces the potential of floating wind turbines to contribute significantly to the transition to green energy.
