Free zone takes Portugal another step towards floating wind 

The news was announced during a conference in Lisbon promoting offshore wind supply chain development between Portugal and Norway.

Addressing delegates, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Maritime Affairs Lidia Bulcão said the rules of procedure for the Technological Free Zone for renewable energy will enable innovative solutions to be tested and help develop the knowledge required for commercial-scale applications.

“All these regulatory instruments, prioritised from the outset of our mandate, will ensure that marine resource exploitation is both balanced and sustainable, while creating new opportunities for technological growth and innovation,” the Minister said.

She noted work is also progressing to approve the nation’s Offshore Renewable Energy Allocation Plan known as PAER. Once approved, PAER is expected to serve as a basis for the development of Portugal’s offshore renewable energy sector.

The conference took place months after the Portuguese government unveiled an updated version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030, including ambitious targets for offshore wind as part of a broader strategy to accelerate the country’s energy transition. It has set a goal for offshore wind capacity of 2 GW by 2030.

Floating wind is set to become a key pillar of Portugal’s offshore renewables strategy, aligning with climate goals under the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

With recent approval of the maritime spatial plan for the Azores area, Portugal now has an updated planning instrument which covers its entire maritime domain.

The Portuguese government is investing €42M (US$44M) in geophysical, geotechnical, wind, wave and ocean current studies to prepare for the development of floating windfarms in its waters.

Another key investment is the €90M ‘Hub Azul Portugal’ initiative, which is creating networks near port areas focused on ‘blue tech’ and offshore renewables.

By boosting research and development, the Hub Azul Portugal will become a meeting point for scientists, companies and investors. 

The conference also heard how Portuguese ports are also set to play a pivotal role in supporting offshore wind and marine renewable supply chains, serving as hubs for the production, maintenance and operation of offshore windfarms as well as exporting and distributing renewable energy equipment to international markets.