Geospatial LCOE analysis for floating offshore wind energy in SW Mediterranean Sea

The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is a fundamental parameter to evaluate the feasibility of energy projects. In this work, the LCOE of floating offshore wind is calculated and mapped in the southwestern Mediterranean basin (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) considering wind turbines supported by semi-submerged foundations. The spatial variation of the energy production of an exemplar wind turbine is estimated using wind reanalysis data. Other relevant parameters considered in this approach are water depths, distance to shore, costs for materials, and operation and maintenance over a 20-year lifetime. The results indicate that the lowest and highest LCOE values, 104 €/MWh and 245 €/MWh, occur at specific sites off the Moroccan and Algerian coasts, respectively. Intermediate values (in the range 156–188 €/MWh) are found off Oran/Ain-Temouchent in Algeria, Bizerte and Sousse/Monastir in Tunisia. In this manner, the most promising locations for floating offshore wind installation in the SW Mediterranean are identified.