Italian major Saipem and Siemens Energy have signed a tentative deal to jointly develop a floating electrical substation for use in offshore wind farms.
The companies will jointly work on a cutting-edge technology solution for a 500 MW high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) floating electrical substation for use in offshore wind farms, according to the company’s release.
According to Saipem, floating offshore substations installed in deep water offer several advantages such as a lighter substructure compared with a fixed foundation solution, an easier and asset-light installation in challenging conditions as well as lower decommissioning costs.
Saipem and Siemens Energy’s floating concept will be based on a proven semisubmersible substructure.
It will be designed to operate in the most extreme environments, with enhanced stability, and can be scaled up as required.
Moreover, the design will address the industrialisation phase, as it can be adapted to fabrication and assembly infrastructures worldwide.
Italian contractor Saipem will utilise its expertise in the engineering of complex and sustainable offshore structures to help deliver the concept.
That will be combined with Siemens Energy’s broad transmission portfolio, allowing the pair to develop a cutting-edge, standardised and scalable technology.
Fabrizio Botta, chief commercial officer at Saipem, said: “The new concept will be an enabler to enhance offshore wind developments in deeper waters by lowering the overall infrastructure investment. This agreement further confirms Saipem’s ambition to strengthen its leadership role in the offshore wind market by delivering industrialised and standard solutions.”
