Wind Catching Demo AS has been granted 1200 MNOK from Enova as a part of the Competition for support for small-scale commercial floating offshore wind projects
EnBW and Wind Catching Systems are working together on the development of the floating demonstrator project.
The project company Wind Catching Demo AS (WCD) is a collaboration between technology developer Wind Catching Systems AS (WCS) and the energy company EnBW Energie BadenWürttemberg AG (EnBW), one of the world's largest offshore wind developers. Their joint aim is to demonstrate and scale-up the Wind Catching technology. The project is planned as the final technology qualification of the Windcatcher system before it is made available as a full commercial floating wind technology in the international market.
The Wind Catching demonstrator floating wind project is planned in the North Sea, off the coast of Øygarden municipality on the Norwegian west coast. The project is planned in water depths of around 300 meters, 22 km from shore. Grid connection is planned in the new Øygarden transformer, next to Kollsnes gas processing plant.
The Wind Catching technology is based on multi-rotor design and addresses key challenges of floating offshore wind. This includes the opportunity for a more flexible turbine system supply chain, unit capacity and turbine scaling, as well as reducing operational and maintenance costs by limiting marine operations and reliance on specialized crane- and service vessels. The local supply chain will be essential for the execution and operational phase of the project.
Ole Heggheim from technology owner WCS comments: “This is a significant milestone in the development of the Wind Catching technology, and this underlines the significant role of Enova as a key enabler of Norwegian technology development. We look forward to continuing the great collaboration with EnBW and creating future opportunities for the technology and our partners in the global market.”
Hanne Marit G. Strand, Managing Director EnBW Offshore Wind Norway AS, adds: “EnBW’s aim is to be committed to the Norwegian market for the long term and to track Norway’s offshore wind policy and market developments for a potential bid in future auctions. We are following market and technological developments very closely and see big potential in the Wind Catching technology. Therefore, we are delighted about the funding commitment from Enova, enabling the project to move forward toward the construction of the demonstration plant, paving the way for the collaboration with local partners and suppliers in the engineering phase.”
Kontakter
Daniel Engelhart-WillochWind Catching Systems AS
Tel:+4748128045dew@windcatching.comAbout Wind Catching Systems AS
Wind Catching Systems develops an innovative floating offshore wind technology, using multi-turbines to enhance efficiency in the design, supply chain, and operational phases, and thereby reducing costs. The main owners include GM Ventures LLC, Ferd AS, North Energy ASA, and the company's founders.
About EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe and has been involved in research projects on multirotors since 2018. EnBW has been planning, building and operating offshore wind farms in Germany and Europe for 15 years. The total capacity of the current portfolio is around 1 GW. Moreover, the He Dreiht offshore wind farm has been under construction since May 2024 and is set to enter operation at the end of 2025 with a capacity of 960 megawatts. In addition, EnBW and bp are developing three wind farms in the UK – Mona, Morgan and Morven – with a total capacity of 5.9 GW. EnBW has been awarded a contract to develop the 1 GW offshore wind farm Dreekant in the German North Sea.
The company is present in Oslo with two business units. EnBW Norway AS is active in energy trading and the development of green ammonium, while EnBW Offshore Wind Norway AS develops offshore wind projects. The company was prequalified for the SN2 1500 MW project in the beginning of 2024 and is committed to the Norwegian market for the long term. Depending on Norway’s offshore wind policy and market developments the company intends to participate in future potential auctions.
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