Malta has launched its first offshore wind tender, seeking a shortlist of companies to bid for the rights to develop a 280-320MW floating wind farm in its exclusive economic zone.
The project will be developed approximately 25km offshore in one of two potential sites with water depths of 100-150 metres.
The winning developer will be responsible for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of the floating wind farm. The government will pay for (and own) the grid connection infrastructure, including the wind farm’s offshore substation and export cable, but the winning developer will be responsible for their operation and maintenance.
A pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) for the project tender was published on 5 December. Companies interested in bidding for the project must complete the PQQ by 28 March 2025, demonstrating their technical and financial capabilities.
Responses will be ranked, with the top five companies then selected to participate in the final competitive dialogue process. The final winner will then be awarded a 35-year concession for the project and a 25-year, two-way contract for difference (CfD) with the distribution system operator, Enemalta. A price cap on the strike price will be imposed and is expected to be determined in the competitive dialogue process.
Launching the tender, Malta’s energy minister, Miriam Dalli, said: “This project is not only crucial for energy generation but will also have a positive environmental impact. It addresses Malta’s space limitations in a sustainable manner. Unlike other proposals discussed in the past, this project has been meticulously planned”.
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