WindFloat, a floating support structure for offshore wind turbines, was deployed at the end of 2011 off the coast of Agucadoura, north of Vila do Condo, Portugal, and inaugurated in 2012 as the first Portuguese offshore wind turbine.
In December 2012 , Windplus S.A., a Portuguese joint venture consisting of Energias de Portugal, Repsol, Principle Power, A. Silva Matos, and Portugal Ventures, was awarded NER300 funding for Phase 2 Buildout of WindFloat Wind Farm.
The design of the WindFloat enables the structure to be fully assembled onshore and towed to its final location. All fabrication and qualification is completed at quayside in a controlled environment. Deployment cost savings are significant when compared with monopile/jacket support structures which require offshore heavylift operations.
The following are two videos on of the WindFloat structure:
WindFloat Prototype fabrication, installation and operation
Testing in Portugal
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Offshore WIND Staff, February 8, 2013; Image: principlepowerinc