Portugal aims to build up to 10 GW of offshore wind farms off its coast

Portugal has moved closer to harnessing the potential of offshore wind off its coast by approving four areas for the construction of offshore wind farms. According to the country’s environment minister, Portugal aims to build at least 2 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with a longer-term goal of up to 10 GW. Reuters reported.

Wind power is already a significant source of electricity in Portugal, but only from onshore wind farms. It accounted for 36.5 % of electricity generation last year, making it the country’s largest source of electricity.

So far, Portugal has made little progress in developing offshore wind. The country has just one small 25 MW floating wind farm project off its Atlantic coast, owned by Ocean Winds.

Last week, however, the Portuguese government announced plans to build several wind farms off its coast. Four areas for the projects were approved in early January. The first auction of licences to build wind farms off the Portuguese coast is expected to take place later this year.

Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said Portugal aims to install 2 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Its ambitions, however, are greater.

"Later, depending on how the situation develops, we should gradually move towards licensing up to 10 GW. We are already taking the necessary steps in this area," the minister added.

Several companies have already expressed interest in the announced auction, including Germany’s BayWa, the Irish-Spanish consortium IberBlue Wind, and a joint venture between Portuguese company Galp and France’s TotalEnergies.