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GICON founding member of the "Friends of Floating Offshore Wind" global network

Interest group advocates uniform conditions for development

GICON is a founding member of the "Friends of Floating Offshore Wind" global network. In addition to the Dresden-based GICON Group, nine other companies, developers and organizations from Europe and America have come together to form the network, which would provide improved conditions for the technological advancement of floating offshore wind turbines. The aim is to develop this technology to market viability no later than 2025 and thus effectively support efforts to combat climate change.

The member’s research projects are currently in different stages but face similar challenges on the road to market launch. Identifying and mastering these challenges is the central focus of the network. These challenges include national permitting procedures, connecting to the electrical grid and investment incentives. To achieve improvements in these areas, the network is placing emphasis on discussions with governments and public agencies. At the first meeting of the network, it was determined that initially the British market and subsequently other international markets will be approached.

Karsten Koepke, project manager of the GICON® SOF, is looking forward to the exchange: "We hope that the network will enable improved communications with other developers and governments, so that this future-oriented technology will quickly become ready for the market and thus become enticing for investors."

GICON a driving force in the development of floating offshore wind turbines

Through the GICON® SOF, GICON is currently one of the driving forces in the development of floating offshore wind turbines. A functional model of the SOF is currently being manufactured in Stralsund, Germany, and will be installed off the German Baltic Sea coast in 2016. Extensive technical and ecological testing is planned for the prototype. Simultaneously, an additional location is being developed for prompt installation of another functional model with a 5-6 MW turbine under North Sea conditions. In subsequent years, the GICON® SOF will ultimately be put into mass production.