RENEXIA CHOOSES INNOVATION: AKER SOLUTIONS WILL DESIGN MED WIND’S SUBSEA SUBSTATIONS

Another step forward for Med Wind, the largest floating offshore wind farm project in the Mediterranean. Our subsidiary ReNEXT Solutions has signed a Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) contract with Aker Solutions, a world leader in subsea solutions for the energy industry, to design the subsea substations for our ambitious project.

The agreement includes the design of 8 subsea transformer modules, two for each section of the wind farm. These modules will be placed on the seabed of the Sicilian Channel, at depths between 520 and 660 meters, where they will channel the energy generated by the floating turbines. The electricity generated will then be transmitted to land, at the Partanna and Partinico stations, through a system of submarine and land-based cable ducts.

THE BEST CHOICE

The choice of Aker Solutions, which will work closely with our partner ABB, is no accident. Their extensive experience in advanced offshore technologies for both oil & gas and renewable energy makes them the ideal partner for this pioneering project. Feasibility studies showed significant CAPEX and OPEX savings compared to other options, paving the way for a unique solution.

The environmental aspect was paramount in our choice. Aker Solutions’ modules have a small footprint, ensuring minimal impact on the marine ecosystem [2]. In addition, the module components do not require significant maintenance for Med Wind’s 25-year concession, further contributing to the sustainability of the project.

Paolo Sammartino, COO di Renexia, ha commentato: “Aker’s project has all the parameters we were looking for: robustness, technological innovation and reduced environmental impact. We are pleased that the partner identified will accompany us on this important and challenging path that will culminate in the construction of the first large-scale floating offshore wind farm in the Mediterranean Sea.”

“This arrangement confirms Aker Solutions’ leading position in subsea power technologies for the offshore wind sector. It builds on both our extensive experience in the oil & gas sector and our close cooperation with customers and our partner ABB. From the earliest stages of the project, we have worked together with ABB to identify the most sustainable, robust and cost-effective solutions,” said Jo Kjetil Krabbe, executive vice president of Power Solutions at Aker Solutions . ”The agreement is also a step forward in our strategy to support international offshore wind developments in growth areas such as the Mediterranean Sea.”

MED WIND AND THE TURNING POINT FOR ITALY’S ENERGY TRANSITION

This important advance was made possible thanks to the extensive oceanographic campaigns conducted in recent months.The analysis of the samples taken and the study of the currents confirmed the sustainability of the project and its integration with the marine environment, without detecting nearby sites of historical and archaeological interest.

Med Wind verrà sviluppato in più fasi e, una volta completato, sarà in grado di generare circa 9 TWh all’anno di energia pulita, sufficiente a soddisfare il fabbisogno energetico di 3,4 milioni di famiglie, equivalente al 3% del fabbisogno nazionale. This project represents a significant step in Italy’s energy transition path and will help create new job opportunities in Sicily, both during the six years planned for the construction of the plant and in the subsequent maintenance activities.

Renexia continues to lead this innovation in the floating/floating offshore wind sector, contributing to a more sustainable energy future for Italy and the Mediterranean. With excellent partners like Aker Solutions, we are preparing to reach an important milestone in the development of renewable energy in our country.

Photo credit: Aker Solutions