Floating Offshore Wind: How this breakthrough technology is changing renewable energy.

Can we generate clean energy further offshore, in deeper waters, and with less impact on coastal landscapes?

In this episode of BlueTech Around the World, we explore how floating offshore wind is unlocking new areas for renewable energy where traditional fixed-bottom turbines can’t go.

Joining me are two outstanding experts from BW Ideol, a global leader in floating wind technology:

Magali Mouriès, Deputy Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, and Laurent Verdier, Commercial Director.

Magali oversees cutting-edge R&D projects focused on mooring systems, subsea inspection, and the environmental impact of floating offshore wind.

Laurent leads BW Ideol’s commercial development with 26 years of experience in large-scale energy projects across Europe, Asia, and the U.S and now leads multinational teams to bring floating wind into mainstream energy systems.

Together, they unpack the engineering behind BW Ideol’s unique “damping pool” foundation, the regulatory and logistical challenges of scaling floating wind, and how this innovation could shape the future of renewable energy at sea.

Why floating wind, Why now?

Fixed-bottom offshore wind farms have made tremendous progress over the past decade. But in regions with deeper waters, such as the Mediterranean, traditional foundations are not feasible. That's where floating wind becomes essential.

"Above 40 meters of depth, fixed-bottom is less competitive. In Europe, 80% of offshore wind potential lies in waters deeper than 60 meters," explained Magali.

And there’s more.

Floating wind turbines can be installed farther offshore, reducing visual impact and potential conflicts with other marine activities. They also unlock areas with stronger and more consistent winds, offering higher energy yields.

As of today, the offshore wind market is booming, with over 70 GW already installed globally and ambitions to reach 500 GW by 2040.

Floating wind, while still emerging, is scaling fast, with targets of 7 GW in operation or construction by 2030, and 30 GW by 2035.

"It’s a global market with ambitions on all continents," said Laurent.

Countries leading the charge include the UK, France, South Korea, Japan, and the US. Their progress is supported by proactive regulatory frameworks and robust marine spatial planning initiatives that define zones, manage auctions, and develop the supply chain.

Understanding the technology

At first glance, floating and fixed-bottom wind turbines might look the same.

But below the surface lies a key difference: floating turbines are mounted on floaters anchored by mooring lines, rather than fixed to the seabed.

"Floating wind is like a barge with a wind turbine on top, stabilized with mooring lines," Magali explained

This shift affects not just engineering but the entire value chain, from installation and maintenance to decommissioning.

Key advantages of floating wind

Floating offshore wind comes with a set of unique benefits that extend beyond just enabling wind farms in deeper waters. These advantages are crucial not only from a technical and economic perspective but also in terms of environmental and societal acceptance. Here are some of the key strengths:

• Less visual impact: Positioned farther from shore

• Simplified installation: Entire structures can be assembled dockside and towed offshore

• Easier decommissioning: No components left on the seabed

• Access to stronger wind zones

• Minimal conflict with other ocean uses

"Floating wind allows us to go where fixed-bottom can't, and that opens up a lot of opportunities for cleaner energy," said Laurent.

Challenges: Why it’s still emerging

Despite its promise, floating wind is a relatively new technology.

Scaling it means tackling:

• Structural stability in harsh offshore conditions

• Mooring line innovations, including synthetic cables with longer lifespans

• Subsea inspection and maintenance for complex and expansive mooring systems

• Durability in extreme weather (13-meter waves, 122 km/h wind)

• Crew transfer with wave heights up to 2.3 meters

• Compatibility with larger turbines exceeding 20 MW

"The floater has to deal with wave, wind, and current. That creates enormous engineering challenges," said Magali.

BW Ideol’s innovation edge

BW Ideol is a pioneer in the sector, with two full-scale demonstrators operating since 2018 in France and Japan.

Their signature technology? The damping pool, a square ring-shaped floater designed to counteract wave motion and increase stability.

"It’s like a floating foundation with a built-in breakwater effect," Magali shared.

This design has already withstood severe storms and enables efficient crew transfer and lower O&M costs.

Importantly, it’s also scalable to larger turbines, up to 20 MW and beyond.

Their innovation pipeline includes:

• Early basin testing and third-party certifications

• Scalable floaters (34x34m up to 60x60m)

• Passive ballasting (no active systems, reducing maintenance)

• Robotic and digital inspection tools for operability

Building at scale: the logistics behind mass production

One critical issue in floating wind isn’t at sea. It’s on land. Mass production of floaters requires large-scale manufacturing at industrial ports.

As Laurent highlighted:

"From 2030, one floater every three days will need to be delivered in markets like the UK. That’s the pace we’re talking about."

BW Ideol’s solution?

Use concrete slip-forming systems and established port infrastructure to build floaters at scale.

Their strategy includes local content optimization and collaboration with shipyards and civil works companies worldwide.

Grid and transmission: managing the dynamic connection

Transmitting power from floating wind farms to shore comes with unique challenges:

• Dynamic cables must adapt to moving floaters

• Water depth, currents, and wave heights influence cable configuration

• Disconnection/reconnection must be safe and simple to reduce costly downtime during maintenance

"There’s innovation not just offshore but also in transmission. The dynamic cable segment is key for ensuring reliability and reducing CAPEX," noted Laurent.

Environmental stewardship: More than just clean energy

Floating wind must be sustainable not only in carbon savings but also in its impact on marine life.

That’s why BW Ideol participates in ongoing environmental monitoring and R&D projects such as PIAF & Co (studying impacts on birds and bats) and VELELLA (focused on mooring impacts, underwater acoustics, and bio-colonization).

"We can’t protect what we don’t understand. That’s why we monitor, measure, and design with nature in mind," said Magali.

Their eco-design approach also integrates sustainable materials, lighter components for worker safety, and lifecycle planning including recyclability at decommissioning.

Market competitiveness and future outlook

Floating wind is no longer just a promising concept, it’s becoming a competitive force in the renewable energy mix. While it still faces a cost gap with fixed-bottom wind, that gap is narrowing rapidly.

For instance, the recent Golf de Lion auction awarded a floating project at €85/MWh, approaching parity with onshore wind and showcasing the sector's growing maturity.

Laurent emphasized that two key factors will drive future cost reduction:

1. Mass production and simplified manufacturing : Industrial-scale floater fabrication using established methods like concrete slip-forming.

2. Ability to accommodate larger turbines (15-20 MW+) : BW Ideol’s designs are already scalable to 20 MW and beyond.

"We’re not optimizing to save a few tons. We’re optimizing to industrialize," he said.

This momentum is supported by strong policy frameworks, public-private partnerships, and growing investor interest in scalable, sustainable ocean energy solutions.

Hybrid use and future applications

Floating wind technology isn’t limited to standalone energy production.

Its flexibility and offshore footprint make it well-suited for hybrid applications and multi-use platforms.

BW Ideol and its partners are already exploring:

• Powering offshore oil & gas platforms with floating wind and battery systems

• Combining wind with hydrogen production modules

• Co-locating with aquaculture or floating solar between turbines

  
  

"We’re already observing more fish around floating wind units. That opens the door to multi-use ecosystems," said Laurent.

These synergies could maximize ocean space, boost marine biodiversity, and support local economies — especially in coastal regions seeking diversification.

Final thoughts: A call to the next generation

Floating offshore wind is not only about technology or infrastructure : it’s about people. To realize its full potential, the sector needs passionate, forward-thinking professionals.

When asked what advice they’d give to the next generation, Magali and Laurent had powerful messages:

"We need young engineers to help us meet the challenges of the energy transition. Floating wind is just beginning," Magali encouraged.

"It’s a young industry, and we have to work as a team. Sharing experience and building trust across the value chain is what will make it succeed," added Laurent.

Floating offshore wind is more than an energy solution. It’s a blueprint for sustainable innovation at sea.

And BW Ideol is at the forefront, turning that vision into reality.

To learn more, visit https://www.bw-ideol.com/fr

And if you enjoyed this deep dive, don’t forget to subscribe to BlueTech Around the World for more stories at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and the sea.

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