Global floating wind pioneer BlueFloat Energy unveiled plans to build projects off Australia and New Zealand as it linked with regional partners for plans that include potential green hydrogen production.
BlueFloat Energy said an alliance with developers Energy Estate and Elemental Group would look to tap New Zealand’s “world class offshore wind resources”.
BlueFloat said it would also work with Energy Estate to look at offshore wind opportunities off Australia.
Madrid-based BlueFloat has this year emerged as one of the world’s most ambitious floating wind developers, with plans off the UK, Spain and Italy that include tapping power from projects for H2.
Simon Currie, co-founder of Energy Estate, said: “I witnessed first-hand the rapid development of the offshore wind industry in Europe. Our goal is to bring the lessons learned from around the world to a New Zealand setting.
“A good example of our approach is exploring the opportunities to foster a green hydrogen and e-fuels industry that harnesses the fantastic winds across New Zealand to decarbonise domestic demand and export green fuels to the world.”
The partners cited previous studies that estimate at 90GW the potential for wind off the Taranaki region of New Zealand alone.
Other developers eying floating in the deep waters off New Zealand include Australia-based Oceanex Energy.
The Australian sector took a big step forward this week when the nation’s parliament passed landmark legislation to establish a regulatory basis for offshore power infrastructure.
