May 4 (Renewables Now) - Spain-based floating wind specialist BlueFloat Energy has over 5 GW of offshore wind projects in the works in Colombia, and the most mature one among them could reach the ready-to-build stage in 2024/2025, the company’s representative told Renewables Now.

BlueFloat has already checked off the list several milestones for the Vientos Alisios offshore wind development, including securing a 200-MW grid connection with Colombia’s mining and energy planning unit UPME. The company says Vientos Alisios is the most advanced offshore wind project in the country to date, being the first one to be granted the pre-feasibility status from the Colombian maritime authority DIMAR.

In an emailed statement to Renewables Now, BlueFloat’s communications manager Isabel Rodrigo said that the company plans to install 500 MW at the Vientos Alisios site and would use bottom-fixed turbines for the project, with a view to start construction in 2024/2025.

“[P]re-engineering works, wind measurements, and oceanographic characterization are already ongoing,” Rodrigo said.

The wind farm will be located off the coast of the departments of Bolivar and Atlantico. BlueFloat said it partnered with Enerxia Renovables to work on the development.

In addition to Vientos Alisios, the company is working on developing six other potential projects off Colombia’s coasts, which together could add up to 5.2 GW of capacity. Two of these are floating wind projects, located off the coast of the Caribbean city of Santa Marta, Rodrigo explained. BlueFloat secured the pre-feasibility status for the pair in August 2021, she added.

BlueFloat timed its announcement to coincide with Tuesday’s launch of Colombia’s offshore wind road map by the government, which sees the country as having potential for some 50 GW of offshore wind capacity.

“BlueFloat Energy invests in Colombia because it believes in the potential of the country. Colombia has a privileged location for the development of offshore wind projects and has an outstanding wind resource,” Armando Politi, BlueFloat Energy ́s country manager for Colombia, said in a statement.

“[O]ur objective as a company is to build an offshore wind industry in Colombia, generating value for the country ́s local and national economy whilst working jointly with the local communities under the strictest sustainability policies that aim to minimize the impact,” added Politi.

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