Falck Renewables announces an equal partnership with BlueFloat Energy for the development of floating marine wind farms off the Italian coast and the launch, shortly, of the process for the first project in Puglia involving the waters of the largo di Brindisi, called Kailia Energia .

The partnership is based on Falck Renewables' deep knowledge of the Italian industrial and energy reality, combined with BlueFloat Energy's experience, unique worldwide, in floating marine wind.

The two companies recognize the strong potential of this technology in Italy, by virtue of the conformation of its coasts and the depth of its seas, for the production of renewable energy through the use of floating marine wind technology, which will significantly contribute to the transition and energy autonomy of the country, in full respect of ecosystems.

Floating marine wind is a driving technology in the energy transition. By laying the foundations for the growth of renewable energies in Italy, it favors the achievement of the national decarbonisation objectives by 2030. This technology in fact allows the positioning of wind turbines in the open and deep sea, without creating a fixed foundation. A feature that, in addition to minimizing the impacts on the marine and terrestrial environment during all phases of the project, allows to intercept the wind resource where it is most abundant, increasing the efficiency of the plants.

The proponents will deposit with the Ministry for Ecological Transition the necessary documentation to launch the authorization application for the Kailia Energia floating marine wind farm which - by choice of the proponents - will start from a preliminary consultation ( scoping ) aimed at better defining the contents of the environmental impact study for the subsequent EIA procedure. At the same time, the request for a maritime state property concession will be submitted to the Ministry of Infrastructures and the Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea.

As with traditional projects - solar and onshore wind - Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy put attention to the territory and local communities at the center of their action: the two proponents have already started a series of meetings with local interlocutors to build a path listening and dialogue on project proposals, which will continue for the duration of the projects.

The strategic nature of Puglia, in the national context and in the industrial plan of the proponents, is confirmed by the progress of the preliminary analyzes for a second floating marine wind farm project. 

The expected installed capacity of Kailia Energia will be approximately 1.2 GW, for an expected annual production of 3.5 TWh, equivalent to the consumption of approximately 1 million Italian households, avoiding the emission of 2 million tons of anhydride carbon dioxide in the atmosphere per year.

The creation of clean, renewable and climate-friendly energy also represents an opportunity to relaunch, collaborate and expand the skills related to energy sustainability for the Apulian communities affected by the projects, thanks to:

• thousands of stable jobs created in the medium to long term (estimated, in peak periods, up to 4,000 direct jobs during the manufacturing, assembly and construction phase of the Kailia Energia marine wind farm);
• the real business opportunity  for local companies, primarily involved in the supply of goods and services, with enhancement of the local workforce and benefits on the levels of professionalism and significant positive effects on the tertiary sector;
• a unique opportunity for the development of ports, which will have the opportunity to diversify their industrial functions in support of floating marine wind power;
• new lines of research and development for existing universities and districts , based on state-of-the-art technologies.

Toni Volpe, CEO of Falck Renewables, comments: 
“Today we bring floating marine wind technology to Italy, demonstrating our commitment to achieving sustainable goals through the implementation of innovative technologies. This project is the result of an important work carried out in recent months by the partnership, which has also involved local stakeholders in a path of dialogue and shared development with communities and territories".

Carlos Martin, CEO of BlueFloat Energy, says: 
“As international developers of offshore wind projects, with unique experience in floating marine wind, we are delighted to contribute to the development of this sector in Italy. Our recent experience in a floating wind project in Spain with Parc Tramuntana provides us with invaluable information on the challenges of developing this type of project in the Mediterranean. We are now entering the Italian market with a partner with strengths and skills complementary to ours, for the launch of a world-class project that will contribute to the energy transition in the region".

KeyFacts Energy: Falck Renewables Italy country profile