Spain aims to install 1-3GW of floating wind turbine by 2030

Spain is planning to install floating wind turbines in the deep waters off its coast to generate between 1-3GW of new wind energy capacity by 2030, its environmental ministry announced on June 8.

This marks a continued trend within EU member states to ensure a bloc-wide push towards greener energy as part of its pandemic recovery plan after the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the fossil fuel industry.

Read more: EU to enshrine net-zero goals

Spain reportedly increased its wind energy capacity by 1.7GW in 2020, with it operating a 21.9% market share for generation within the same timeframe.

The country's Ministry for Energy and the Environment claims the country currently has the largest onshore wind fleets. However, the deep waters that surround the Iberian Peninsula on the Atlantic coast are far too deep for traditional offshore wind farms.

As a result, the government will have to settle with floating turbines, which are mounted on a floating structure, which allow for electricity generation where fixed-foundation turbines would be ineffective.

Deeper waters also carry faster winds, which may provide an untapped trove for energy generation, but provides entirely different complications.

Owing to the extra complexities and costs associated with floating turbines, the government will be offering a €200 million stimulus package for research and development.

The government has revealed port infrastructure may need between €500 million and €1 billion in infrastructure development to allow for these kinds of projects.

Spain has already made a pledge towards net-zero emissions by 2050 and has been making great strides in renewable energy, becoming something of a hub for energy innovation.

Read more: Spain pushes for 100% renewables, bans new fossil fuel projects

Homegrown Spanish companies such as Iberdrola have helped turn the nation into a hub for wind and solar energy, while also looking into developments for green hydrogen.

Iberdrola has also said it will pledge €1 billion on a floating wind farm in Spain provided it can receive support from the EU's coronavirus recovery fund.

Self-consumption of solar energy has also been on the rise in Spain, which has seen the general population's energy bills decrease significantly.

The European Union currently boasts around 12GW of wind energy, with plans to have as much as 60GW available by 2030.

According to WindEurope, it added 2.9GW to its capacity in 2020 alone.

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