Portugal is to produce energy from floating offshore wind farms following an agreement between the country's dominant power utility and a US technology company. According to the Financial Times, Energias de Portugal, the world's fourth largest producer of wind energy, and Principle Power, a Seattle-based technology developer, plan to generate electricity on a commercial scale from wind turbines floating in deep waters 15km off the Portuguese coast. The project is part of an ambitious plan by Portugal to become a world leader in clean energy, producing more than 60 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020. The equivalent European Union target is 20 per cent. "Developing floating foundations for wind turbines is essential for the development of offshore wind farms worldwide," said António Mexia, EdP's chief executive. "Fixed structures are not feasible beyond 50m, but sites at lesser depths are scarce." Total offshore wind energy capacity installed across the world, currently using only structures fixed to the seabed, is estimated at just over 1 GW, with Denmark and the UK accounting for about 80 per cent. continue reading Related Stories:

• Hywind - Floating Offshore Wind Farm