15-MW+ floater secures basic design certification from DNV

In a statement, the company said certification “is a key milestone in BW Ideol’s industrial roadmap” and confirms the technical soundness of a platform designed for large-scale deployment.

The standardised floating foundation for 15-MW wind turbines is compatible with turbines manufactured by several original equipment manufacturers in the 14-MW to 16-MW range and is currently being scaled up to 22 MW. 

BW Ideol said the foundation is also adaptable to a wide range of metocean conditions, from moderate to more challenging environments. “The primary objective of our approach is to support multiple projects from a single production line, leveraging the benefits of standardisation and achieving economies of scale,” said BW Ideol. 

The newly certified platform builds on BW Ideol’s experience with earlier projects, the designs of which were also certified by leading classification societies. These include Floatgen, certified by Lloyd’s Register in 2016; Hibiki, certified by ClassNK in 2016; and Eolmed, certified by Bureau Veritas in 2022.

“Type-certified floating wind platforms, suited to a range of turbine sizes and environmental conditions, are critical to unlocking the full industrial potential of the sector,” said the company. “As floating wind scales up, project developers will need reliable, certified technologies and proven execution capabilities – not one-off prototypes.” 

BW Ideol chief executive Paul de la Guérivière said, “Certification is a tangible demonstration of the maturity and the reliability of our technology. BW Ideol offers developers a certified, adaptable and deployment-ready solution that helps reduce engineering lead times, secure financing and accelerate permitting processes.”

DNV executive vice president for renewable certification Kim Sandgaard-Mørk said, “Certification plays a critical role in building trust, reducing risk, and accelerating investment in floating offshore wind. As the industry scales, harmonised standards and qualified concepts will be essential to ensure safety, reliability and cost-efficiency.”