Simply Blue joins with US player to develop floating wind farms

Venture with Totalenergies aimed at providing electricity to millions of US homes

Cork-based Simply Blue focuses on offshore floating wind and marine projects. Photograph: iStock
Cork-based Simply Blue focuses on offshore floating wind and marine projects. Photograph: iStock

Irish company Simply Blue Energy is joining forces with US player Totalenergies to tap transatlantic demand for renewable electricity.

Cork-based Simply Blue focuses on offshore floating wind and marine projects. The company is working on developments in Irish and British seas ultimately capable of generating 9,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Simply Blue confirmed on Wednesday that it is beginning a North American joint venture with Totalenergies to develop offshore floating wind farms that the pair say will provide electricity to millions of US homes.

Sam Roch-Perks, Simply Blue’s chief executive, said the venture, Totalenergies SBE US, would have everything needed to develop offshore wind in the US.

Deeper waters

“Almost two-thirds of US offshore wind resources are found in deeper waters that require floating wind platforms,” he explained.

Stéphane Michel, president of gas, renewables & power at Totalenergies, said the company was convinced of floating offshore wind’s potential in the US.

Simply Blue Group recently announced that Octopus Renewables had invested €15 million in the company to help accelerate its expansion in Ireland, Britain and elsewhere.

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Barry O'Halloran

Barry O'Halloran

Barry O’Halloran covers energy, construction, insolvency, and gaming and betting, among other areas