As part of the joint partnership that binds the two companies, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy are about to file the necessary documentation to launch the authorization application, on behalf of the company Odra Energia, relating to the project for the construction of a floating marine wind farm off the southern coast of the province of Lecce, in Italy’s southern Apulia region.

For Odra Energia, as for the first Kailia Energia project off the coast of Brindisi, announced on 30 September, the proponents have chosen the path of preliminary consultation (scoping ), an optional phase aimed at optimizing 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 filed with the Ministry of Infrastructures and the Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea.

The maximum installed capacity expected for this project is approximately 1.3 GW. Estimated annual production is approximately 4 TWh, equivalent to the consumption of over one million Italian households and the non-emission of over two million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Floating marine wind plays a key role in the energy transition process. The parks that exploit this technology will play a central role in achieving the national decarbonisation goals by 2030, significantly contributing to the energy autonomy of the country, in full respect of ecosystems.

This technology allows the positioning of the blades in deeper waters, such as those of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the construction of plants without the use of fixed foundations and further offshore compared to traditional marine wind farms. This feature, 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.

In addition to the generation of clean energy, the Odra Energia project envisages an approach of collaboration and sharing of value with the Apulian communities affected by the plant.

As for traditional projects, and in line with what has been done for Kailia Energia , the proposing companies have already started a series of meetings with the interlocutors of the Lecce area to establish an ongoing relationship of listening and dialogue on the project proposal, to make them understand the specificities and tell about its distinctive features:

• stable jobs in the medium to long term: during the manufacturing, assembly and construction phase of the park, it is estimated that 1,500 direct jobs will be created, a number that could grow to around 4,000 in periods of maximum need. After the park has come into operation, it is estimated that there are over 150 permanent places for maintenance activities, of which approximately 80% from local resources;
• local procurement: the supply of goods and services for the construction and maintenance of the floating marine wind farm will involve the companies in the area as a priority, with the enhancement of local labor and expansion of skills related to energy sustainability;
• positive effects on the tertiary sector: important opportunities for local businesses, during the construction and operation phases of the park;
• port development: the project will rely on the ports of the region, both for construction and maintenance activities, offering the possibility of diversifying the nature of the infrastructures, the quantity and quality of the services offered to support floating marine wind also for other projects that will use the same technology in the Mediterranean Sea;
• innovation, research and development: opportunities for universities and technological districts to come into contact with cutting-edge tools and technologies.

KeyFacts Energy: Falck Renewables Italy country profile