The concrete platform, developed by the Basque engineering firm Saitec, will serve as the basis for the first offshore wind farm to be installed in 2025 off the port of Armintza. Until then, the impact on birds and marine mammals will be tested, as well as the impact on fisheries.
A large concrete floating platform has been staying since this Wednesday at a depth of 85 meters and 10 kilometers from the coast of Biscay, for the port of armintza (Lemoiz, Bizkaia). This is the first installation of the Geroa project, which will first offshore wind farm of the Spanish State. Until then, a pilot phase is underway in which tests are performed and the environmental impact is measured.
The innovative floating unit has been fully developed by the Basque engineering firm Saitec with the latest technology, the so-called SATH. This technique allows the installation of offshore wind turbines in deep waters, such as off the Basque coast, where the deep continental shelf does not allow the installation of wind turbines on a fixed basis. The key is exactly this floating unit “made in Euskadi”.
The platform is in the form of catamaran and it has six chains that allow it to hold its position. In this way, the structure rotates and aligns with the direction of the wind and current.
During these first three years, a 2 megawatt onshore wind turbinewhich will generate electricity to power some 2,000 households.
The offshore wind energy (the one installed in the sea) was until now an unexplored area in Euskadi, given the characteristics of the Basque coast. However, it is very common and highly developed in European countries such as Belgium, with shallower waters. In these cases, the wind turbines are installed on a fixed support anchored to the continental shelf, which may not be more than 60 meters deep.
The Geroa project reverses this situation and will become the first offshore wind farm to be connected to the electricity grid within three years, in 2025. It is projected to generate 45 megawatts, enough to power 50,000 households.
These three years will serve as a rehearsal and above all a test to analyze how it will affect birds and marine mammals, a process that has already started with several Basque environmental companies. In addition, the impact it could have on the fishing industry and the work of the arantzales.
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Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
