INESC TEC and IBERBLUE collaborate for the development of offshore wind power production in the Iberian region

Contributing to the development, building, and operation of floating offshore wind farms in Portugal and Spain: this is the goal of the collaboration between INESC TEC and IBERBLUE. The two organisations formalised this commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the opportunities associated with the growth of the offshore wind industry in the Iberian Peninsula.

The growth of local supply chains and the development of skills, training, and workforce qualification are essential to explore the potential of the acquisition of offshore wind power production projects. In this sense, INESC TEC and IBERBLUE – a joint venture specialised in the design, development and management of floating offshore wind farms operating in the Iberian market – will collaborate to develop projects in this area.

“INESC TEC has been working towards boosting the offshore wind sector in Portugal, which will bring countless opportunities to the country – namely in local supply chains, and the creation of a qualified and highly specialised workforce. This cooperation with IBERBLUE aims to explore said opportunities, through a set of potential structuring projects”, mentioned Luís Seca, member of the Executive Board at INESC TEC.

This partnership focuses on the development, demonstration and improvement of solutions that may be used in commercial offshore wind farms. More specifically, it foresees a set of scientific activities related to the development and optimisation of equipment and infrastructures; cultural and training activities; and innovation and knowledge transfer actions, aiming at two main areas: Blue Economy and Energy.

This way, and concerning the Blue Economy, this endeavour will promote the testing and validation of technologies – namely robotic solutions and sensors that can be used, for instance, to inspect and maintain wind farms, supporting maritime operations and data collection. Regarding Energy, the entities will collaborate in the electrical optimisation of wind farms, and in the identification of alternatives for connecting to the HVAC and HVDC network, among others.

The initiatives established in the Memorandum of Understanding will focus mainly on Portugal; but both entities hope that this collaboration can export offshore services to other regions.