Italy has 8,000 kilometers of coastline, giving it significant potential for the development of floating offshore wind energy. According to the Polytechnic University of Turin, the country has an estimated capacity of 207.3 GW, a figure that represents over 60% of Italy’s renewable energy generation.

Michele Scoppio, CEO of Gruppo Hope, highlights that the sector’s growth is evident, and projections point to exponential development: “Italy could reach a target of approximately 10 GW of installed capacity between 2030 and 2035, with the potential to exceed 20 GW by 2050.”

The PNIEC sets a target of 2.1 GW by 2030, while the FIT FOR 55 initiative has more ambitious goals, targeting 8.5 GW by the same date, including 3.8 GW in Apulia, one of the regions with the greatest potential.

Currently, Italy’s installed offshore wind capacity stands at 30 MW. “However, this figure does not represent a true offshore wind farm, as it refers to the Taranto wind project, which is technically a nearshore installation. The site consists of 10 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3 MW, located very close to the coast within the Port of Taranto,” Scoppio explains in an interview with Strategic Energy Europe.

Although the capacity is still low, the CEO of Gruppo Hope notes that the target of surpassing 10 GW between 2030 and 2035 is realistic.
“Approximately 20 offshore wind projects in Italy have initiated the environmental impact assessment process. Additionally, around 80 other initiatives have applied for and received approval for connection to the national electricity grid. This means that approximately 60 projects are still in the early stages of development and in the permitting process,” he explains.

It’s important to highlight that the country has great potential for floating technology due to the wind resource concentrated in different regions, particularly in southern Italy, where the seabed is deep.

“Given the importance of tourism in these areas, bringing wind farms closer to the coast would be unthinkable. Additionally, floating foundations play a crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity. They minimize seabed disturbance, ensuring the protection of essential marine ecosystems, including Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea,” Scoppio analyzes.

Gruppo Hope’s Offshore Wind Energy Projects

Gruppo Hope is positioning itself as a key player in the development of floating offshore wind energy in Italy. The company is driving projects with large-scale turbines, which will have an average capacity of 15 to 20 MW each. These installations will be located offshore, using floating foundations that minimize environmental and visual impact, maximizing the potential of unobstructed ocean winds.

“Our wind farms will be designed to be practically imperceptible from the coast, maximizing energy efficiency without affecting the maritime landscape,” explains Michele Scoppio, CEO of Gruppo Hope.

“The floating wind turbines we plan to install are large-scale, with rotor diameters exceeding 250 meters. However, their structural elements, such as the blades and tower, are relatively slender, with thicknesses ranging from 6 to 10 meters,” he adds.

The company is also continuously working to improve the LCOE, incorporating technological advancements that optimize production and reduce costs. Additionally, it actively participates in regulatory discussions to ensure favorable conditions for investment and the expansion of the sector in Italy.