Rome, Italy – In a significant move to accelerate Italy's transition to renewable energy, Saipem, a global leader in engineering and construction, and Divento, a consortium dedicated to offshore wind development, have announced a strategic collaboration agreement. The partnership focuses on deploying Saipem's innovative STAR 1 technology for floating offshore wind foundations in support of Divento's ambitious 7 Seas Med and Ichnusa Wind Power projects.
The alliance is specifically designed to bolster the companies' bids in the forthcoming auctions under Italy's Fer2 Decree, which aims to stimulate investment in innovative renewable energy technologies. STAR 1, Saipem's proprietary semi-submersible floating wind foundation technology, is central to the projects' viability, offering a robust and adaptable solution for deep-water offshore wind installations.
Divento, a strategic partnership formed in early 2022, combines the expertise of GreenIT (a joint venture between Plenitude and CDP Equity), Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and the founders of 7Seas Windpower and NiceTechnology. This collaboration brings together financial strength, technical prowess, and a shared vision for sustainable energy development.
"Together with Saipem, Divento could act as a pioneer, facilitating the dissemination of local expertise and the construction of logistics infrastructures, fostering the growth of this new and important industrial sector in our country," stated Paolo Bellucci, CEO of GreenIT, highlighting the potential for the partnership to drive industrial growth and technological advancement.
The 7 Seas Med project, situated over 35 kilometers off the coast of Sicily, is a landmark initiative. With a planned capacity of 252 MW, it has already achieved a significant milestone by securing environmental impact assessment (EIA) approval from the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, marking it as Italy's first floating offshore wind project to do so. This approval underscores the project's environmental viability and paves the way for its realization.
Complementing 7 Seas Med, the Ichnusa Wind Power project, located approximately 40 kilometers off the southwestern coast of Sardinia, aims to deliver 504 MW of renewable energy. This project, featuring 42 floating wind turbines each with a 12 MW capacity, is expected to power 600,000 households, significantly contributing to Italy's energy independence and carbon reduction goals.
Both projects are currently in the development phase, awaiting the finalization of the regulatory framework for the Fer2 Decree auctions. The success of these initiatives hinges on the implementation of a clear and supportive Contracts for Difference (CfD) system, which will provide financial stability and attract necessary investments.
"Floating offshore wind can play an important role both for the Italian industry and for the production of safe and renewable energy. We therefore await clarifications on the CfD system for floating offshore wind, which is essential to allow this potential to materialize," emphasized Kunal Patel, Partner of CIP.
The Saipem-Divento collaboration represents a pivotal step in Italy's journey towards a sustainable energy future. By combining cutting-edge technology with strategic partnerships, these projects are poised to unlock the vast potential of floating offshore wind, driving economic growth and environmental sustainability.
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