South Korean company Samsung Heavy Industries and DNV GL have signed an agreement to jointly develop floating offshore wind technology.

The partners said that they will conduct research and development into floating foundations and remote maintenance technology.

Samsung Heavy Industries head of the technology development Ho-Hyun Jung said: “As the global interest in climate change and new and renewable energy spreads, demand for floating offshore wind power is expected to increase.

“We will secure our own design capability for wind floats.”

The Korean company said that it will utilise its offshore engineering capabilities and manufacturing experience.

It added that floating foundations for wind turbines have a design similar to that of semi-submersible crude oil production facilities.