Norwegian offshore wind developer Deep Wind Offshore has applied for an area lease to establish both a floating and a bottom-fixed offshore wind farm off Chile's coastline. The move is aligned with Chile's ambitious goal to generate 60% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. By 2040, the country anticipates a 65% increase in annual electricity demand compared to 2021, highlighting the need for expanded renewable energy capacity.
Deep Wind Offshore expressed a commitment to developing large-scale offshore wind capacity in Chile. The company plans to manage and operate the projects locally, with a strong focus on creating job opportunities, fostering local suppliers, and engaging various stakeholders, including artisanal and industrial fisheries.
The project's official launch was celebrated in Concepción, where Chile's Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism Nicolás Grau, and Minister of Energy Diego Pardow, spoke via video. Minister Grau highlighted the potential economic impact, stating, “initiatives such as this important Deep Wind Offshore investment project in the Biobío region, represent a great opportunity for all the industrial capacities of the region and will be able to contribute with clean energy and at a lower cost for the country.” Minister Pardow added that Deep Wind Offshore's entry into Chile would be instrumental in achieving the nation's decarbonization goals.
Hans Petter Øvrevik, Deep Wind Offshore's chief commercial officer, described the expansion into Chile as a significant milestone, explaining that the company chose Chile due to its “world-class wind resources, growing demand for renewables, well-defined regulatory regime, and a friendly investment climate.” He also emphasized the importance of community collaboration, saying, “To succeed, co-existence is crucial, and we will develop these projects together with local communities and other users of the sea.”
