Offshore floating wind farm | ICM issues tender to collect data on wind, wave conditions

• Strategic investment to enable Malta’s first offshore wind project.
• Two year, sites pecific data collection survey to reduce risk and improve bankability.

Interconnect Malta has issued a public tender for the collection of metocean data, data that will be used to support the government’s project for an offshore floating wind farm. Valued at €3.6 million, the tender forms part of Malta’s aim to diversify its renewable mix and have its first-ever wind generation. 

It is estimated that such a large-scale project would provide renewable energy equivalent to 25% of Malta’s overall electricity demand as it stood in 2025.

The survey will collect site-specific data, including wind resource measurements, wave conditions, and environmental parameters such as avian and bat activity. This information will enable prospective developers to prepare realistic technical and financial proposals. Such accurate data is used to determine commercially viable pricing and secure financing. While current assessments are based on modelling, actual site data is necessary to reduce uncertainty and ensure the project is bankable.

Due to the seasonal nature of metocean conditions, data will be collected over a two-year period to capture full seasonal variation and improve reliability.

“The floating offshore wind project is an integral part of Malta’s broader energy strategy for the coming years and is one of several key initiatives we are adopting, aimed at supporting the transition to a sustainable generation mix,” said Dr. Miriam Dalli, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness.

ICM manager Ing. Christian Spiteri explained that the metocean data collection study will be carried out at two potential offshore areas within Malta’s exclusive economic zone.  “These sites were selected based on technological feasibility, as well as environmental and anthropogenic considerations. Developers will retain the flexibility to select the preferred site,” Ing. Spiteri said. 

The survey will be conducted using a floating buoy at each site, equipped with advanced instrumentation, including LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which uses laser pulses to measure wind speed and direction with high accuracy. The buoys will be securely anchored to maintain their position under varying weather conditions throughout the two-year period. Maintenance, as well as data collection and analysis, is included within the scope of this tender.

This work builds on previous marine surveys undertaken by Interconnect Malta to map bathymetry, seabed morphology, and shallow sub-seabed characteristics of these two areas. Together, these datasets will support more accurate project design and cost estimates.

About Interconnect Malta: 

Established in 2021, Interconnect Malta Ltd (ICM) is a government-owned company under the responsibility of the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness (MEEC). It is entrusted with the development of major energy infrastructure projects.