Odra Energia, in collaboration with Renantis and BlueFloat Energy, has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of sustainable energy development with the commencement of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Odra Floating Offshore Wind Project, situated off the southern coast of Lecce, Italy.
The exhaustive EIA documentation has been formally submitted to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (Mase) and the Ministry of Culture (MiC). This milestone follows an extensive year-long study and research phase, outlining the project’s hypotheses. The comprehensive study is set to undergo public consultation in the upcoming weeks.
This development signifies a crucial advancement in the authorization process that was initiated in 2021. Through a year-long engagement with local stakeholders, the collaborative partnership has actively incorporated valuable feedback, resulting in adjustments such as a notable 30% increase in the distance of the wind farm from the coast and a reduction in the number of turbines.
The ambitious project envisions the installation of 90 floating wind turbines, with a targeted maximum capacity of approximately 1,300 MW, generating around 4 TWh/year. This substantial output could effectively power over one million Italian households and contribute to an annual reduction of two million tonnes of CO2 emissions. The estimated investment for the Odra Floating Offshore Wind Project surpasses 4 billion euros.
Beyond its environmental impact, the project also serves as an economic stimulus, creating up to 1,500 direct jobs during both the construction and operation phases. Ongoing collaboration with local communities underscores a commitment to exploring additional opportunities for economic development.
Ksenia Balanda, the General Manager of Renantis-BlueFloat Energy Partnership for Italy, emphasized the significance of the EIA Study, stating, “The study allowed us to optimize the project, ensuring its technical feasibility, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. We remain dedicated to refining our plans, keeping a local focus, and fostering robust partnerships with the community as we work towards achieving first production by the end of the decade.”