Offshore wind farm to be built off Italy

Italy-headquartered Saipem signed an MoU with AGNES, a company that develops renewable energy projects in the Adriatic Sea, and QINT’X, an Italian company specialising in renewable energy, to co-develop the wind farm off the coast of Ravenna, Italy.

This project will involve the installation of approximately 56 turbines on fixed foundations on the seabed at two different sites: one located more than 8 nautical miles from the shore, and the other more than 12 miles from the shore. The overall installed power will be approximately 450MW.

Alberto Bernabini, CEO of QINT’X, commented: “Our vision is to create a new green energy hub in the Adriatic Sea, integrating multiple technologies to generate clean energy from the wind, sun and hydrogen.”

Floating solar technology

The project will incorporate floating solar technology based on the technology of Moss Maritime, which is part of Saipem’s XSIGHT division dedicated to developing innovative solutions to speed up decarbonisation process in the energy sector.

In this respect, the XSIGHT division has already begun developing integrated solutions for using renewable energy and for producing ‘green’ hydrogen. The project will offer the opportunity to find an alternative solution to decommissioning O&G platforms in the Adriatic Sea.

Mauro Piasere, COO of the XSIGHT division, commented: ‘Saipem has long launched a process to strengthen its presence in the renewable energy sector.”

Saipem is planning to launch similar projects in Sicily and Sardinia as well, using floating foundations for wind turbines.