Developer Renexia has just made a big move by signing a contract with Aker Solutions to design underwater substations for the Med Wind floating windfarm. This windfarm is set to be located off the coast of Trapani, Italy, in the Mediterranean Sea.
Aker Solutions, known for its expertise in engineering, will work closely with its partner, ABB, to fulfill this contract. They will be working on a huge project: the 2.8-GW Med Wind windfarm, which is one of the largest in the region.
The contract involves creating eight special underwater modules. These modules will be placed on the seabed in the Strait of Sicily, at depths ranging from 520 to 660 meters. Each part of the windfarm will have two of these modules, designed to support the wind turbines.
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This is the first time Aker Solutions is involved in an offshore wind project in the Mediterranean. Their research shows that using these underwater substations can save a lot of money compared to other methods.
One of the reasons Renexia chose Aker Solutions is because these underwater modules are small and have a minimal impact on the marine environment. The components of these modules are also designed to last for 25 years without needing major maintenance, which is perfect for the long-term Med Wind project.
Paolo Sammartino, Chief Operating Officer of Renexia, commented, “Aker Solutions has everything we were looking for. They offer advanced technology and help reduce the impact on the environment. We are excited to work with them on this groundbreaking project that will lead to the creation of the first large-scale floating offshore windfarm in the Mediterranean.”
The design phase started after several surveys were conducted over the past few months. These surveys examined the seabed where the Med Wind windfarm will be built. They helped find the best places for the underwater stations and confirmed that the project is good for the environment. No important historical or archaeological sites were found near the installation areas.
Once completed, the Med Wind windfarm will produce around 9 TWh of clean energy each year. This amount of energy is enough to power 3.4 million households and will cover about 3% of Italy’s total energy needs.