October 24, 2014 – Alstom and DCNS have signed a partnership agreement to develop and commercialize a 6MW semi-submersible floating offshore wind turbine by 2017.

Named Sea Reed, the project aims to combine a semi-submersible floating system from DCNS with Alstom’s Haliade 150 offshore wind turbine by.

“Our agreement is the world’s first-ever partnership between a naval architect and an energy-sector player who has already demonstrated the performance of a high-power wind turbine,” said Thierry Kalanquin, DCNS marine energy and infrastructures division director.

Alstom will be in charge of studies to adapt and integrate the Haliade with the floating system, while DCNS will conduct studies on the behaviour, sizing, industrialization and installation of the floating system combined with the turbine.

“By combining the technology of our Haliade offshore wind turbine with DCNS’ unique expertise in the maritime field, we are merging our respective know-hows as early as possible in the process so we can work together at developing an innovative, competitive energy solution,” said Jérôme Pécresse, Alstom renewable power chair.

The parties say floating wind energy provides an innovative alternative for enhancing the energy potential of maritime settings that are too deep to install fixed-bottom foundations.