CIP plans 2GW floating offshore wind project off Portugal

The project is planned in one of several zones the Portuguese government identified for future wind energy projects off its Atlantic Coast, with water depths of between 75 and 200 metres. 

CIP added that its proposed 2000MW Nortada Nortada (2000MW) Offshoreoff Figueira da Foz, Portugal, Europe Click to see full details project would help Portugal make large strides towards its ambition to develop more than 10GW of offshore wind capacity as part of its transition to renewables. 

Portugal is due to hold its first offshore wind tender this year – though it is unclear whether it will offer only seabed leases or grid connection agreements as well, and how much capacity it could support.

Other identified sites include Viana do Castelo — north of Figueira de Foz — which already hosts Ocean Winds’ 25MW WindFloat Atlantic project that the Portuguese government said has proved the potential and “robustness” of offshore wind energy in the region. 

The country already generates up to 65% of its energy from renewable sources at present and hopes to reach 80% by 2026. Wind energy supplies approximately 30% of the country’s electricity, according to figures from Universidad de Navarra. 

Portugal has 5.7GW of operational wind capacity presently according to Windpower Intelligence, the research and data division of Windpower Monthly. 

Other developers like CIP are planning to bid for rights to develop offshore wind projects in the forthcoming auction. Among them are German company BayWa who have advanced plans for a 600MW project at Viana do Castelo, and a duo of SSE and Acciona, who are targeting development off Portugal and neighbouring Spain.