Iberdrola executive chairman Ignacio Galán has visited the Astilleros Ría de Vigo shipyard in Spain to view construction of a new electric vessel being built for Bibby Marine, which the companies describe as having the largest battery energy storage capacity of any vessel of its kind, at more than 24MWh.
The vessel, an electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV), designed by Seaplace for Bibby Marine, is intended to support offshore wind farm operations. It features electric propulsion and methanol auxiliary engines, with a cargo capacity of several thousand tonnes.
Galán was joined on the visit by executives from Astilleros Ría de Vigo, representatives from Bibby Marine, which has previously worked on Iberdrola offshore wind projects, and Manuel Moreu, president of Seaplace. During the tour, Galán paid particular interest to the vessel’s propulsion and energy storage systems and the shipyard’s capacity to deliver complex, innovative projects.
Iberdrola – the Spanish renewable energy company – said the visit underscored the role of maritime transportation in the offshore wind supply chain, and reaffirmed the company’s broader commitment to electrifying the economy as a means of improving competitiveness, strengthening energy independence and accelerating decarbonization.
Iberdrola currently operates offshore wind farms in the UK, Germany, France and the US with a combined capacity of nearly 3,200MW, representing an investment of €13 billion. It has a further 2,700MW under construction across the East Anglia Two, East Anglia Three and Windanker projects, representing an additional investment of nearly €10 billion. The company’s approximately 900MW East Anglia One North project has secured all necessary permits and is eligible to compete in upcoming UK auctions, alongside a broader pipeline of projects in development across the UK, US, Germany, France and Australia.
In related news, Hyke signs marine charging partner for electric ferry rollout