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Ignacio Galán visited Astilleros Ría de Vigo to see Bibby Marine’s new electric vessel project, which has already been a supplier to Iberdrola in offshore wind technology.
Iberdrola promotes the electrification of the shipping sector to support the construction of new offshore wind farms
Maritime transport is one of the key links in the offshore wind technology value chain.
- Bibby Marine’s new electric vessel will have battery storage capacity of more than 24 MWh
- Iberdrola already has operational offshore wind farms in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States, with a combined capacity of nearly 3,200 MW, representing an investment of €13 billion. It also has a further 2,700 MW under construction, representing an additional total investment of nearly €10 billion
Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán has visited the facilities of Astilleros Ría de Vigo to see first-hand the project for Bibby Marine’s new electric vessel. The vessel is an Electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) with the world’s largest battery energy storage capacity, at more than 24 MWh.
During the visit, Ignacio Galán was accompanied by executives from Spanish shipbuilders Astilleros Ría de Vigo, as well as representatives from Bibby Marine, which has already participated in Iberdrola’s offshore wind projects, and Manuel Moreu, president of Seaplace, the company responsible for designing the new vessel.
Maritime transport is one of the key links in the offshore wind technology value chain. Iberdrola has operational projects in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and France with total investment of €13 billion and 3,200 MW of installed capacity. The company is also building the East Anglia 2 and East Anglia 3 projects in the UK and the Windanker project in Germany, with a combined capacity of 2,700 MW and representing an additional investment of nearly €10 billion. In addition, the company has the approximately 900 MW East Anglia 1 North project, which has secured all the necessary permits and is eligible to participate in the next auctions in the UK, as well as a portfolio of projects under development in the countries mentioned above and in others such as Australia.
During the tour of the shipyard, the Iberdrola executive chairman showed particular interest in the vessel’s technical development, its propulsion and energy storage systems, and Astilleros Ría de Vigo’s industrial and technological capabilities to undertake highly complex and innovative projects.
Ignacio Galán highlighted the importance of initiatives such as this one, which extend the benefits of electrification to the shipping sector, a key industry for industrial development and one of the most important links in the offshore wind supply chain. Galán also reiterated Iberdrola’s commitment to electrifying the economy as a key driver of greater competitiveness, stronger energy independence and faster progress towards decarbonisation targets.
The visit also highlighted the strategic role played by companies such as Armon in Galicia’s maritime and industrial ecosystem in developing technologies focused on sustainability and innovation, further consolidating Vigo’s position as an international centre for highly specialised shipbuilding and the transition towards a low-carbon economy.
About the eCSOV project
The new eCSOV (Electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel), designed by Seaplace for Bibby Marine and currently under construction at Astilleros Ría de Vigo, is set to become a global benchmark for support services for offshore wind farms. Its exceptional battery energy storage capacity will significantly reduce emissions associated with offshore operations, contributing to the development of a more efficient and sustainable maritime industry in sectors such as offshore wind. The vessel features electric propulsion and methanol auxiliary engines and has a cargo capacity of several thousand tonnes.