- TotalEnergies has started constructing the OCG-Wind wind farm in the North Sea. This project will power offshore gas platforms with 20% renewable energy.
- Ocergy’s modular floating wind technology supports 15 to 22 MW turbines, reducing costs and construction time while enhancing site flexibility.
- The Scottish INTOG tender project aims to combine renewable energy with oil and gas operations, advancing TotalEnergies’ hybrid energy strategy.
TotalEnergies has launched the construction of the OCG-Wind wind farm in the North Sea, bringing renewable energy into its offshore gas operations. Located near the Culzean gas field, the floating unit will feature a 3 MW Vestas turbine to supply 20% of the platform’s electricity needs.
The team plans to cut the first steel in the next two months, kicking off the construction phase. This project, selected as one of 13 initiatives under the Scottish Crown Estate’s 2023 INTOG (Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas) tender, aims to integrate renewable energy with oil and gas operations.
Ocergy developed the OCG-Wind technology using a modular design to cut construction time and costs. This lighter foundation can support turbines from 15 to 22 MW, meeting the industry’s growing demand. Ocergy intends to adapt these foundations for various markets and installations.
With the technology reaching an advanced readiness level, Ocergy has positioned it as reliable and commercially viable. The company aims to scale production, reducing operational and construction costs. Its flexible design offers broader options for site locations and partners, enhancing its market appeal.
Ocergy has partnered with TotalEnergies, Octopus Energy, and Chevron Technology Ventures to advance the floating wind technology. These collaborations form a broader strategy to diversify energy sources and increase offshore facility efficiency. By securing seabed rights through the INTOG process, TotalEnergies has advanced hybrid solutions that blend fossil and renewable energy.
TotalEnergies seeks to enhance the energy self-sufficiency of its offshore assets by leveraging floating wind power and reducing dependence on traditional energy sources. Floating wind energy plays a vital role in this shift, offering a cleaner, more sustainable solution for offshore power generation.
The success of the OCG-Wind project hinges on keeping costs competitive despite volatile energy prices. Energy sector operators will closely track this pilot’s progress. A successful outcome could set new standards for integrating floating wind technologies into existing oil and gas infrastructures.
The insights gained from this project could shape future developments in other key maritime zones. TotalEnergies’ investment in floating wind technology supports its broader strategy to optimize offshore assets while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.
As construction begins, the OCG-Wind farm will demonstrate how renewable energy integrates into conventional energy systems. This project could inform future investment decisions, offering a model for hybrid solutions that balance fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Success here will mark a significant step in the offshore energy sector’s move toward sustainability, providing a roadmap for hybrid energy systems that blend fossil fuels’ reliability with clean energy’s environmental benefits.