Authorization process to start soon, while dialogue with local communities continues

Milan, 26 October 2021 – In the framework of the equal partnership that involves the two companies, Falck Renewables and BlueFloat Energy are set to file on behalf of the company Odra Energia the documentation required to start the authorization process for a floating offshore wind farm off the southern coast of the province of Lecce.

Similarly to the first project off the coast of Brindisi, Kailia Energia, announced last September 30, the project developers behind Odra Energia are about to begin a voluntary preliminary consultation process aimed at providing a better understanding of the scope of the environmental impact study which will be carried out.

A request for the maritime concession will also be filed with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea.

The maximum installed capacity envisaged for the Odra Energia project is around 1.3 GW. The estimated annual production is about 4 TWh, equivalent to the consumption of more than one million Italian households and the avoidance of emissions into the atmosphere of more than two million tons of carbon dioxide.

Floating offshore wind plays a key role in the energy transition process. The wind farms that deploy this technology will play a key role in achieving the national decarbonization goals set for 2030, contributing significantly to the energy independence of the country, while protecting the environment.

Floating technology allows the positioning of wind turbines in deeper waters, such as those of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the construction of wind farms without the use of piled foundations and further away from the shore compared to more traditional bottom-fixed offshore wind farms. Floating  wind farms are more efficient as they harness the wind further from the coast where it is more abundant whilst also minimizing the impact on the marine and onshore environments during all the phases of the project.

In addition to generating clean energy, the Odra Energia project proposes a collaborative and value-sharing approach with the communities in Puglia located near the proposed wind farm.

As for more traditional projects, and in line with what has been done for Kailia Energia, the project developers have already started a series of meetings with stakeholders in the Lecce area in order to establish a continuous relationship of openness and dialogue on the project proposal, so as to explain its specificities and convey its benefits:

• stable jobs in the medium-long term: during the manufacturing, assembly and construction phase of the wind farm, it is estimated that 1,500 direct jobs will be created, a number that could grow to around 4,000 during peak periods. After the wind farm comes into operation, it is estimated that more than 150 stable jobs will be created for maintenance activities, of which about 80% will come from local resources;

• local sourcing: the supply of goods and services for the construction and maintenance of the floating offshore wind farm will primarily involve local companies, with enhancement of the local workforce and expansion of skills related to energy sustainability;
• positive effects on the tertiary sector: important opportunities for local businesses, during both construction and operation phases;
• port development: the project will rely on ports in the region, both for construction and maintenance activities, offering the possibility to diversify the nature of infrastructure, the quantity and quality of services offered in support of floating offshore wind potentially also for other floating wind projects in the Mediterranean Sea;
• Innovation, research and development: an opportunity for universities and technological districts to come into contact with cutting-edge tools and technologies.

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Falck Renewables S.p.A., listed on the Euronext STAR Milan segment and included in the FTSE Italia Mid Cap Index and in the MIB ESG Index, develops, designs, builds and manages power production plants from renewable sources, with an installed capacity of 1,320 MW (1,283 MW according to the IFRS 11 reclassification) in the United Kingdom, Italy, United States, Spain, France, Norway and Sweden. The Group is a global player in the renewable energy technical advisory and asset management services business, through its wholly owned subsidiary Vector Renewables, providing asset management services to clients accounting for approximately 3,800 MW of installed capacity and with experience in more than 40 countries. Falck Renewables provides also highly specialized energy management and downstream services to both energy producers and consumers. 

Visit www.falckrenewables.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter (@falckrenewables).

BlueFloat Energy is developing offshore wind projects in various regions of the world, where it can implement its vision: to accelerate global deployment of offshore wind as a key enabler for the energy transition and economic growth. Founded by renewable energy professionals, BlueFloat Energy brings together unparalleled expertise in the design, development, financing, construction and execution of floating offshore wind projects.

BlueFloat Energy is supported by 547 Energy, the Quantum Energy Partners’ platform dedicated to clean energy investments. 547 Energy aims to partner with innovative companies who drive the growth of the green energy economy. Quantum Energy Partners is one of the world’s leading dedicated energy investment funds, with a portfolio of over $ 17 billion of assets under management since its inception in 1998. www.bluefloat.com

Contacts:

Falck Renewables

Giorgio Botta – Investor Relations – Tel. +39 02 2433 3338

Elena Roda – Media Relations – Tel. +39 02 2433 2297

BlueFloat Energy

Nailia Dindarova – Government and Regulatory Affairs Director – Tel. +34 (0) 610 53 31 41

SEC Newgate S.p.A

Daniele Pinosa, Fabio Leoni, Fabio Santilio – Tel. +39 02.6249991

CDR Communication

Vincenza Colucci – Tel. +39 335 6909547