The company, which has been trialling a small-scale prototype of the design on a simulator rig since 2009, is leading a consortium bid to install a 2MW model of the twin-headed, semi-submersible unit at one of three pilot project sites in the Mediterranean being tendered by the French government.
Nénuphar’s concept — which has evolved from a floating foundation topped with a single VAWT with three “twisted” blades to one with a pair of contra-rotating, vertical-bladed turbines — was originally slated to be moored offshore last year as part of Europe’s Inflow scheme, before the flagship suffered knock-on effects from delays on two technology-feeder projects.
