Floating Wind: Unlocking the Power of the Open Sea
Floating offshore wind power represents a major leap forward in renewable energy development. By eliminating the depth limitations, this technology enables wind turbines to be installed where winds are stronger, more consistent and better suited for large-scale electricity production.
Instead of being anchored to the seabed, floating wind turbines are mounted on floats, connected to the seabed by mooring systems, and designed to withstand the movement of the sea. This system opens up vast new areas of the ocean to clean energy generation.
Benefits of Floating Wind Turbines?
An innovative technology that pushes the limits of offshore wind energy production
Greater Energy Potential
Offshore sites in deep waters offer more powerful and reliable wind conditions than onshore or coastal areas, meaning higher energy output per turbine.
Strategic Leverage for Energy Sovereignty
Floating wind helps diversify France’s electricity supply while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
A Growing Industry with Local Benefits
Over and above the energy challenge, floating offshore wind industry is driving innovation across multiple fields, from engineering and shipbuilding to environmental science, logistics and maintenance. It is also generating skilled jobs and stimulating regional economies, particularly in coastal areas.
How A Floating Wind Farm Works
Discover how electricity generated by floating offshore wind turbines travels from sea to shore — step by step.
Blades
Each turbine is equipped with three large blades that begin rotating when wind speeds reach 15 km/h.
Floating Foundation
Also known as the float, this buoyant platform supports the wind turbine and allows it to remain stable on the surface of the sea.
Anchoring
Anchor lines hold the floating foundation and its wind turbine, preventing them from drifting.
Inter-Turbine Electrical Cable
Dynamic submarine cables connect the wind turbines to one another and to the offshore substation. These cables are specially designed to endure wave motion, sea currents, and the vertical and horizontal movement of floating structures.
Offshore Electrical Substation
The electrical substation collects the electricity generated by the wind turbines and steps up the voltage (from 66kV to 225kV), making it suitable for export to shore.
Export Cable
The high-voltage export cable carries electricity from the offshore substation to the mainland. It first travels underwater, then continues underground to reach the onshore substation.
Electrical Substation
Once on land, the electricity enters the onshore substation, where it is distributed into the national power grid.
Floating Wind Projects in Operation
Around 30 floating wind turbines are already in operation globally, from the United Kingdom to Norway and all the way to Asia. In France, two ”pilot” floating wind farms (30 MW each) will soon be developed in the Mediterranean.
In addition, dozens of projects are currently under development.
Pennavel’s developers, BayWa r.e. and Elicio, are also co-leading (with BW Ideol) one of the world’s most powerful floating wind projects (1 GW) off the coast of Scotland, the Buchan Offshore Wind project.
Hywind Tampen
5 wind turbines with a total output of 88 MW.
These wind turbines supply oil and gas units 140km off the Norwegian coast.
Norway
Hywind Scotland
3 wind turbines with a capacity of 30 MW.
Operational since 2018.
Scotland
Windfloat Atlantic
3 wind turbines with an output of 25 MW. Operational since 2020.
Portugal
Kincardine
6 wind turbines with a total capacity of 50 MW.
Fully operational since 2021.
Scotland
Provence Grand Large
3 wind turbines with a capacity of 25 MW.
Operational since 2024.
France
Floatgen
One 2MW floating wind turbine (demonstration project).
Operational off the coast of Le Croisic since 2018.
France
Hibiki
One 3.2 MW floating wind turbine (demonstration project).
Operational since 2018 off the island of Kitakyushu
Japan
OceanX
16.6 MW floating wind turbines (two turbines)
Operational since 2024 off the coast of China
China
DemoSATH
One 2 MW floating wind turbine (demonstration project)
Operational since 2023 off the Basque coast
Spain
TetraSpar
One 3.6 MW floating wind turbine (demonstration project)
Operational since 2021 off the coast of Norway
Norway
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