Irish floating wind platform firm Gazelle Wind Power (Gazelle) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Bridon-Bekaert Ropes Group (BBRG) to supply mooring lines for Gazelle’s dynamic mooring system.
BBRG will serve as the supplier of mooring lines for Gazelle’s initial 2MW pilot plant at the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN). Gazelle and BBRG further plan to develop a +15MW platform based on Gazelle’s unique hybrid floating wind technology.
"In order to unlock the massive offshore wind market, we have to significantly reduce the LCOE while making platforms lighter and easier to assemble. BBRG’s unique global experience and advanced offshore rope solution technology was the last critical piece we needed to deploy our unique hybrid dynamic mooring system. They bring the technical know-how not only for our pilot plant but will play a key role for our larger - 15MW plus - systems,” said Gazelle CEO Pierpaolo Mazza.
Gazelle says that its innovative hybrid attenuated mooring platform splits the ‘two classical functions’ of buoyancy and stability to produce "a light, durable, and cost-effective platform that can be deployed in deeper waters further out at sea."
"Floating wind has incredible potential, especially as the world seeks ways to decarbonize and reach regional and world emissions goals,” said BBRG General Manager Synthetic Ropes, Christof Dewijngaert. “Gazelle’s floating wind technology is unlike others we have seen, and combined with our mooring lines, we believe can have a significant impact on the offshore wind industry.”
Having raised more than $14.1 million in 2021, Gazelle reported in December 2021 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Danish offshore vessel operator Maersk Supply Service to develop the 2MW PLOCAN pilot plant by Q2 2023.
Maersk Supply Service will provide the project's engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI).