TotalEnergies launches offshore wind pilot to supply electricity to oil, gas platform

TotalEnergies launched a pilot project consisting of a floating wind turbine to supply renewable power to the Culzean offshore platform in the UK North Sea.

The 3 Mw floating wind turbine will be sited 2 km west of the platform, 220 km off the eastern coast of Scotland. The turbine, expected to be fully operational by end 2025, will supply around 20% of Culzean’s power requirement, supplementing the existing power generation from gas turbines.

The turbine will be installed on a modular, light semi-submersible floater hull designed by Ocergy Inc. Archer Wind will deliver the floating wind foundation.  Archer is progressing with detailed engineering and engaging key fabrication and assembly subcontractors, the company said in a separate release Aug. 29.

“This innovative pilot project aims at proving the concept of hybridization of power generation on an offshore facility, by integrating the generation of renewable electricity from a floating wind turbine with the existing power generation from gas turbines. It also aims at qualifying a promising floater design for the future of floating offshore wind,” said Marie-Noelle Semeria, chief technology officer at TotalEnergies.