Siemens & Norsk Hydro to cooperate on floating wind turbines

Siemens and Norsk Hydro have entered to an agreement to cooperate on technology to develop floating wind turbines.

Siemens will deliver the first wind turbine based on Norsk Hydro's Hywind concept for a demonstration unit off the coast of Norway, Siemens said in a statement.

Locating wind turbines offshore has obvious advantages, such as reduced visual impact and increased power production due to strong and stable wind conditions. Floating offshore turbines, as opposed to ones that are anchored, could be installed at sites with greater water depth.

Hydro currently has a license to place a demonstration turbine offshore near Karmoy, an island in the southwest of Norway.

The company is also considering placing the turbine near an oil installation to supply it with renewable energy, according to Siemens' statement.