Building on over 50 years’ experience in offshore engineering and operations, we have become a leading operator and developer of floating offshore wind with over 20 years of experience. We now operate nearly half of the world’s floating wind generating capacity, and our ambition is to continue developing this vital renewable energy resource.
Equinor has been an active pioneer in offshore wind power since 2009, when we launched the Hywind Demo floating wind turbine, based on our extensive experience from the offshore industry.
Since then we have developed many successful large-scale offshore wind projects: Sheringham Shoal, Dudgeon, Hywind Scotland, Hywind Tampen, and Dogger Bank – and we’re working on new projects in many countries worldwide.
Floating wind
Hywind Demo is still operating well today*, more than 15 years since it commenced operations – producing more than expected and suffering less wear and tear.
*The turbine is now owned by UNITECH Offshore and used for research, development and training under the name “UNITECH Zefyros by Hywind Technology”.
Two becalmed sailors started to doodle on the back of a napkin – and had a brainwave. Today, nearly 20 years later, those strokes of genius have been transformed into a technology that is virtually synonymous with floating wind turbines: Hywind.
And why don't they capsize in a storm? Meet Equinor engineer Stine Myhre Selås and see her explain how ballast provides the key to making the Hywind turbine float upright.
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Stine Myhre Selås explains (in Norwegian only)
There are many advantages to taking wind turbines further offshore and making them float, since they can be deployed outside shallow waters:
We know many people are concerned about wind turbines. Do they actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Do they affect fishing and spoil the environment? Do they emit microplastics? Here, we address common questions.
We believe the following factors are important to realising the full potential of floating offshore wind:
It is impossible to build and operate installations onshore and offshore without impacting the environment. Therefore, our aim is to have net-positive impact on the environment and society from our renewable energy projects.
To get there, we believe close collaboration and dialogue with authorities, local stakeholders and scientific communities is key to successfully develop offshore wind in a sustainable manner. We continuously work to increase the knowledge base on how to sustainably develop floating offshore wind and to successfully coexist with other users of the sea.
Did you know floating windfarms can attract animals foraging for food and shelter? You can read more about this and other effects on biodiversity in floating offshore windfarms in the extensive study below done by Ocean Science consulting on behalf of Equinor.
We believe in the cooperative coexistence of floating wind and other marine industries and interests. In our experience early dialogue and close collaboration is key.
There is a perception that floating offshore windfarms make it difficult to fish because of the underwater structures. As the ocean becomes a busier place, can floating offshore wind and the fishing industry coexist?
Through a partnership with Marine Scotland Science, Equinor has undertaken trials at Hywind Scotland to find out whether it is possible to fish safely with certain types of static fishing gear inside the turbine area of a floating offshore windfarm.
These trials provide valuable insights for Equinor's floating offshore wind projects all over the world.