After more than 10 years of installing the main prototypes of floating wind farms in Europe, BOURBON has created Bourbon Wind, its new division dedicated to offshore wind energy. Its objective is to support the Group's ambition to become a major player in the entire value chain. An interview with Patrick Belenfant, Managing Director of this new entity.

PartnerShip: In recent years BOURBON has positioned itself as a leader in offshore wind-turbine installations, with projects such as TetraSpar, Kincardine, Windfloat Atlantic. In this context, why create a specific division?

Patrick Belenfant: Bourbon Wind is the materialization of our intention to become a major player in the entire value chain in this sector, including pre-studies, transportation and installation services, field maintenance, float repair and personnel transportation. For me, this division does not mark a break from what has been accomplished previously but, on the contrary, represents a continuation! It is a confirmation of our commitment to contribute to the growth of the renewable-energy industry and, in particular, offshore-wind energy, both as a service provider and a prime contractor (EPCI contract), wherever projects are implemented, in Europe or, indeed, anywhere in the world.

PS: Bourbon Wind is entering an already highly competitive and growing market. What are its main assets?

P. B.: Since 2011, the Group has installed most of the floating wind turbine prototypes in the world (in Portugal, France, Scotland, Norway, etc.), including the first European pre-industrial floating wind farm (Windfloat Atlantic), two years ago, off the coast of Portugal. It is currently working on many calls for tender or pre-qualification files. The teams’ expertise is therefore widely recognized and we benefit from unique experience in offshore wind energy, in terms of both different types of floats and global knowledge of the entire value chain. This extends from design assistance for a “fluid” installation to the supply of anchoring systems, the installation, towing and laying of electrical cables and, soon, the manufacture of floating electrical hubs, inter-array cables, anchoring and mooring systems. We also rely on a solid network of partners.

PS: Do you have a particular expertise in certain floats?

P. B.: On this point, we are agnostic and will work with all float designers. Each type of float has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on factors such as weather conditions, depth of seabed, wave period, electrical production capacity and local construction capabilities.

PS: As offshore wind energy gradually enters the industrialization phase, how does Bourbon Wind plan to address this, particularly in terms of investments?

P. B.: Indeed, the development of the entire sector is accelerating and, based on our 10 years of experience, we are studying the next designs of turbines, anchors, floats and vessels, which will have to adapt accordingly. As far as we are concerned, at this stage, we believe that actual utilization rates and daily rates may not justify substantial investment and the "Swiss Army knife" vessel is not necessarily THE solution. Sea beds can be different, ranging from sand to hard clay or rock, resulting in a different type of anchoring and pre-tensioning of mooring lines. We will therefore invest in a combination of vessels, either as owners, partner or shipmanager, to address this market. We will also look at all types of partnership, such as the one we signed with IWS for SOV vessels, a few months ago.

PS: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Bourbon Wind?

P. B.: In my opinion, supply chain and production-capacity issues must be the focus in the coming months. Turbine capacities may reach 15 to 20 MW in the future (compared to a maximum of 12 MW today), with ever larger and taller turbines, that will require more lifting capacity and new logistic sites, not to mention the production capacity of electrical cables, chains and fiber cables, which will also significantly increase. A target of 20 GW of floating wind power worldwide by 2030 means between 1,300 and 1,700 wind turbines and as many floats, around 7,000 anchor lines, 1,750 km of chain between 100 mm and 200 mm in diameter and around 4,200 km of fiber cable. The challenge also concerns our clients and their approach to the construction market, according to their financing model – and their desire to structure an industry with reliable and economically efficient marine partners. BOURBON has been able to build long-term relationships with its clients and has unique experience in the construction of series vessels and associated operations.

PS: One last question: Why launch Bourbon Wind today?

P. B.: We are in the throes of an energy transition, in an emergency situation, as I think we all agree, and offshore wind will play a very important role in this transition, without any doubt. We must therefore act without delay. This is also what makes the challenge exciting! It is also necessary to federate the synergies between BOURBON’s three activities. Bourbon Subsea Services needs AHTS vessels for anchoring and passenger vessels for construction. Bourbon Marine & Logistics can develop complementary services on SOVs (Support Offshore Vessel) for maintenance, by offering crane maintenance with our affiliate Hydrauserv, or survey and ROV services, at night, when the SOV is not working. In each of our activities, we have men and women ready to take up the challenge!