WHO WE ARE

The TwinHub project represents a significant stride to building confidence in the sector of Floating Offshore Wind and its role in achieving UK’s 2030 clean power target. TwinHub is also a significant stride in Hexicon’s journey towards commercializing the revolutionary TwinWind™ technology.

  • As a pioneering name in floating offshore wind solutions, Hexicon is at the forefront of offshore technology. TwinHub marks a milestone as our maiden pilot project to test the robustness of our floating platforms under genuine conditions.

    The TwinHub project is also committed to fostering growth within the community. By collaborating with the local supply chain and emphasizing the pivotal role of entities like Falmouth Port, TwinHub aims to revitalize the regional economy through the myriad opportunities that floating offshore wind offers.

    With an impressive potential capacity of up to 32MW, TwinHub will provide green energy to around 45,000 households. This venture is scheduled to begin its delivery of green energy in 2027.

    We're proud to say that our endeavours also have been recognized and bolstered with a 15-year revenue support commitment from the UK Government in 2022.

THE TECHNOLOGY

The project will utilise Hexicon’s trademarked floating platform - TwinWind™. The TwinWind™ design differs from other floating wind designs in that it hosts two leaning wind turbines on each platform.

  • The TwinWind™ design allows the foundations, rather than the individual turbine nacelles, to align with the wind around a single mooring point, known as weathering. 

    The innovative design has significant benefits as it increases the energy density for a given area relative to a single turbine platform, reducing the environmental impact. A more compact wind farm design also provides additional benefits, such as minimizing the mooring and cabling infrastructure and reducing the seabed footprint. 

    Floating foundations, in general, allow offshore wind turbines to be positioned further away from shore in deeper waters when compared to conventional fixed bottom designs, reducing visual impact and improving wind conditions.

    The proposed development is an essential steppingstone project that will demonstrate technological and commercial viability with the aim of it being used further offshore in deeper waters, thereby accessing better wind conditions.

THE SITE

The TwinHub project will be deployed within the existing Wave Hub site, approximately 16km off the coast of Hayle in Cornwall. It will connect to the existing cable tails, which run into the Hayle substation, making full use of what has already been installed.

The site, cable route, and associated onshore infrastructure were originally granted consent in 2007 to support the use of wave energy converters for renewable energy and are in situ and ready for use.

The offshore site will host two floating offshore wind platforms, each with two turbines. Water depths are about 50 – 60 m, so the platform will be anchored to the seabed with a single-point mooring using what is known as the catenary system. The installed capacity will be 32MW, which is enough to power approximately 45,000 homes.

The site has been the subject of a number of Environmental Impact Assessments and subsequent Environmental Statements to support the relevant consents. The most recent Environment Statement was undertaken in 2018 to make provision for floating wind at the site and can be viewed via the Marine Management Organisation’s Public Register.

PROJECT TIMELINE

 FAQ

  • Floating wind power is precisely that - wind turbines on floating platforms at sea. As opposed to turbines anchored at depths up to only 60 meters, floating wind power turbines can be installed at a depth of 40 up to 1,000 meters. That’s why they can be placed out at sea, where the winds are stronger and more even.

  • The conditions out at sea are much more favourable than on land, as they offer stronger and more even winds. Also, it is possible to use higher turbines out at sea. One single sea-based turbine can generate as much energy as three to four land turbines.

    Offshore wind power parks bring minimal disturbance as they are placed far out at sea. It is not possible to hear them, and they are usually not visible. Sometimes you can just about perceive them on the horizon.

  • We firmly believe in collaborating with local enterprises and will actively encourage and prioritize local supply chains when possible. Our philosophy is to develop and care for the local supply chains through a step-by-step springboard where local suppliers and communities can grow alongside the project phases. This springboard strategy will enable us to maximize the value of the project for the local community.

  • We expect our project to have great potential in creating local work opportunities within all phases of the project and that it will also have an overall positive effect on the local community.

    We support recruiting locally, which includes collaborating with the fishing industry to explore opportunities for future employment. We encourage local collaborations in our supply chain.

  • We engage with local fishing communities at an early stage during the project to ensure that the impact on fishing will be minimal. The park is designed and established in a way to minimize their impact. Our priority is to avoid an interruption in the work of fishermen.

    Offshore wind power parks create positive effects by serving as rejuvenating surfaces for different fish species. Studies show that several fish species increase in number close to the wind power parks. This is because the turbines' foundations create a so-called rev-effect where the fish can find food and protection.

  • Offshore wind power turbines are designed, built and run within the limits of extreme weather conditions. When the winds are very strong, the rotor blades can, for example, be slowed down to prevent a critically high speed of the rotor blades.

    Sensors mounted at the top of the turbines control the wind continuously. The turbine can be turned off during extreme winds to protect it from damage.

  • Please do not hesitate to contact us here if you have further questions.