Bechtel Supports RE Technology to Accelerate UK Offshore Wind Generation

Hexicon, Swedish floating windfarm developer and technology provider and Bechtel are partnering to deliver large-scale offshore floating wind projects along the British coastline and abroad.

Bechtel is partnering with windfarm developer Hexicon to demonstrate innovative offshore wind technology for large-scale floating power generation projects off the coast of the U.K. The floating technology could be a game-changer in offshore power generation as it can be deployed in deep waters at a lower cost of energy than other solutions, this is essential to the industry that currently relies on shallow water platforms that are fixed to the seabed.

Positive results from this demonstration project will further bolster the UK as a world leader in offshore wind generation and support the Government’s path to generate 40GW of offshore wind power by 2030.

“Our technology is one of a handful of solutions that can support deep water offshore wind projects, which will massively increase the potential for offshore wind power generation, said Marcus Thor, CEO of Hexicon. “The UK has shown great initiative in this industry and we are delighted to have world-leading construction and engineering company Bechtel to help us deploy our innovative twin turbine floating foundation in British waters. This will be good for the UK and beyond, as the world’s demand for clean energy solutions continues to grow exponentially.”

The initial partnership will draw on Bechtel’s engineering, construction, and project financing expertise to develop the design and constructability of the offshore wind facility. In addition to demonstrating a 35 to 40MW floating wind project, the team will also establish how the technology could be brought to market and explore the roles that local suppliers could play in shipbuilding, mooring, and installations, as well as the long-term serving needs of floating offshore wind.

“We are delighted to be supporting Hexicon to bring their important technology to the market, said George Whittaker, Bechtel business development manager. “As a company that has a long history solving complex engineering problems, including in the offshore industries, we are confident that this technology is possible and could be a real game-changer for the renewables market.”

Bechtel is building renewable and low-carbon power projects for customers on their path to net-zero emissions. The company built Ivanpah, the world’s largest solar thermal energy facility, and is nearing completion of Keeyask, a new hydro-electric facility in Canada that will generate enough electricity per year to power 400,000 homes. Bechtel was recently selected to support construction of the Black Rock wind farm in West Virginia, in the U.S. Read more about Keeyask here and Black Rock here.