The HiPoTeSis project consortium (High Power Test Sites to consolidate industrialisation of Floating Offshore Wind in Europe) met in Nantes for its kick-off meeting, marking the operational launch of this strategic European initiative dedicated to offshore testing infrastructure for high-power floating wind. The project is co-financed by the Interreg Atlantic Area programme through the European Regional Development Fund.
Led by Fondation OPEN-C, HiPoTeSis brings together key actors in the development of European offshore testing infrastructure: BiMEP (Spain), CEO-Companhia da Energia Oceânica (Portugal), SEAI-Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, PLOCAN-Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias, along with several associated partners. Together, they aim to address a major strategic gap: the current absence in Europe of operational test sites capable of hosting floating turbines of more than 10 MW before industrial deployment.
HiPoTeSis is founded on a conviction shared by all partners:
“Without high-power offshore test sites, Europe cannot claim leadership in floating wind.”
As the wind turbines of tomorrow will reach 15, 20, or even 25 MW of unit capacity, Europe faces a critical challenge for its sovereignty: having test sites capable of testing, validating, and de-risking these innovations before industrial rollout.
“Offshore testing must be Europe’s superpower in floating wind.”
HiPoTeSis aims to strengthen this superpower, turning it into a driver of Europe’s industrial leadership in the coming years. The kick-off meeting laid the groundwork for this ambition through several actions to be carried out during the project:
- Assessing existing and under development offshore infrastructures, with a focus on floating wind testing capacities for 10+ MW turbines;
- Conducting a feasibility study for the establishment of high-power test sites along the Atlantic coast including the development of joint governance models;
- Mapping stakeholders to better coordinate public, industrial, and scientific actors;
- Developing frameworks for economic and territorial benefits…
HiPoTeSis stands out through its unique, collaborative approach: rather than developing isolated or even competing solutions, the project relies on cooperation between European test site operators, sharing of expertise, and alignment of strategies to consolidate the sector.
HiPoTeSis aims to lay the foundations for a robust, interconnected, and competitive European testing ecosystem, a key condition for maintaining and strengthening Europe’s position in the global race for floating wind innovation.
