Ocean Winds has extended its long-term Operations & Maintenance (O&M) contract with Principle Power for the 25 MW WindFloat Atlantic Project. This extension highlights Principle Power’s expertise in floating wind technology and reaffirms the operational success of the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm, which was also the first floating wind project to secure bank financing.
Since the first WindFloat unit was installed in 2019, Principle Power has provided a comprehensive range of O&M services, including Inspections, Maintenance, and Repair (IMR) activities with integrated engineering support. These efforts have ensured maximum uptime and availability for the WindFloat Atlantic farm, complemented by remote monitoring and advanced data analytics to optimize performance.
The collaborative approach between Ocean Winds and Principle Power has led to outstanding operational results. In its first five years, WindFloat Atlantic has consistently exceeded power production expectations and demonstrated resilience against extreme weather conditions, withstanding 20-meter waves and wind gusts of 139 km/h without structural damage. Moreover, the project has maintained a stellar safety record, achieving zero lost-time accidents.
Daniel Ribeiro, Asset Senior Lead Associate at Ocean Winds, commented:
“We are pleased to extend our long-term partnership with Principle Power. Their operational excellence and focus on safety allow us to exceed production expectations year after year, reinforcing floating wind technology’s readiness for commercial-scale deployment.”
Clara de Moura Santos, Vice President of Operation & Maintenance at Principle Power, added: “This extension validates our WindFloat technology and operational expertise. It reflects our proactive approach to readiness, from anticipating design needs to refining preventative maintenance processes. These efforts positively impact project efficiency and financial performance, positioning us to support the first commercial projects globally.”
WindFloat Atlantic also serves as a testing ground for pioneering research in O&M innovation. Projects such as the EU-funded Atlantis initiative explore robotic solutions for offshore inspections, while the DOE ARPA-E DigiFloat project focuses on advanced environmental and structural health monitoring systems. Both initiatives aim to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) and improve platform performance.
