The publication of Order No. 4752/2025 in the Diário da República marked a key milestone in the preparation of Portugal’s first floating offshore wind auction. The Government adopted a centralised sequential model and set a target of 2 GW, with a timeframe of up to 180 days to define the competitive process conditions.

In this context, IberBlue Wind shared with Strategic Energy Europe its satisfaction regarding the regulatory clarity achieved, while also expressing caution given the political scenario, which could alter the established deadlines.

“We applaud the Government for responding to the sector’s requests, but we are closely monitoring the potential impact of the election results on the procedure,” stated Tiago Morais, Head of Offshore Floating Wind in Portugal for the company.

Political continuity?

On 18 May, Portugal will hold snap elections following the resignation of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro (Aliança Democrática – AD), who became embroiled in controversies over conflicts of interest. These will be the country’s third national elections in three years, amid a climate of political uncertainty.

According to the latest Consulmark2 poll, the centre-right coalition Aliança Democrática (AD) leads voting intentions with 34.1%, followed by the centre-left Partido Socialista (PS) with 27.1%. The far-right party Chega holds 15.1%, while the liberal Iniciativa Liberal (IL) stands at 8.3%.

The combined support for AD and IL brings them close to an absolute majority in the Assembleia da República, with 42.4% of voter intentions. However, with 20% of the electorate still undecided, the political landscape remains fluid ahead of the elections.

“Our commitment to Portugal is strong, but maintaining continuity in energy policy is essential to ensure project viability,” Morais warned.

Expectations for offshore tender criteria and areas

IberBlue Wind highlighted the importance of clearly defining participation criteria, the offshore areas and lots to be tendered in the first auction, as well as technical information related to environmental, geophysical, and energy resource factors.

The consortium welcomed the choice of a sequential model, considering it a facilitator of orderly implementation while reducing speculative risks.

They also praised the Government’s 2 GW target, describing it as realistic given Portugal’s limited domestic demand and low interconnection capacity.

Morais emphasised the importance of Portugal incorporating non-economic criteria in bid evaluations, in line with European Union guidelines. This approach will prioritise projects delivering social, environmental, and industrial benefits beyond mere price competition.

“These criteria strengthen our commitment to coastal communities and local development,” affirmed the executive, reiterating IberBlue Wind’s willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders.

Active projects and industrial commitment

Operating in Portugal for the past three years, the consortium has submitted Expressions of Interest for the Creoula and Botafogo projects, both set to deploy innovative floating technology to produce low-carbon electricity.

These developments will feature turbines of up to 22 MW, located 20 to 40 kilometres offshore, with operational lifespans exceeding 25 years. Investment is estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, with 55% national content, and the creation of hundreds of jobs during development and construction phases.

Additionally, IberBlue Wind is promoting the possibility of Creoula and its Spanish counterpart, Juan Sebastián Elcano, becoming the first cross-border floating wind collaboration in Southern Europe.