SolarDuck, a Dutch startup with the mission to provide the world with offshore clean energy, announced that it has secured an additional €15 million in funding for the development and deployment of Offshore Floating Solar power technology.
The funding has been provided by both existing and new investors. An international consortium of Katapult Ocean, Green Tower, Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam and Invest-NL all share SolarDuck’s commitment to accelerating a sustainable supply of offshore energy with offshore floating solar power. With the new funding, SolarDuck is able to extend its leading position by deploying its first commercial projects. In addition, its experienced and dedicated team continues to optimize the technology to build markets around the world and accelerate further roll-out.
This funding sets the company on a path of continued growth, able to further build on its leading position in the Offshore Floating Solar Energy industry, deliver its first commercial projects and increase its impact as the company works towards its goal of deploying over 1 GW of offshore generated solar electricity by 2030.
Koen Burgers, CEO & Co-founder of SolarDuck, said: “We are delighted to have secured this latest round of funding. SolarDuck is introducing a new asset class of energy generation. With demand increasing, offshore floating solar offers real promise for the decarbonisation of our energy supply. This successful funding round provides us with the means to continue the development and deployment of both our Team and technology.”
As the world is electrifying and a rising world population and urbanization are resulting in land scarcity, the market for offshore energy generation is increasing. SolarDuck’s technology can be deployed in wind-scarce, but sun-rich regions as ‘stand-alone’ offshore floating solar farms. Co-locating SolarDuck technology with offshore wind is also possible, as will be happening in the Dutch North Sea. SolarDuck is aiming to generate a sizeable impact by replacing fossil powered energy sources like coal-fired powerplants and diesel generators. This technology also enables island and offshore installations – and even countries – to set up an independent supply of renewable energy.
Jonas Svegaarden, CEO, Katapult Ocean, commented: “We are very excited to announce our increased investment in SolarDuck and to support their next phase of growth. In order to harness the blue growth opportunity, we must also endeavour to build offshore. SolarDuck represents a new category of ocean infrastructure, which has the potential to unlock significant resources towards the global renewable energy mix and to enable enhanced economics to existing offshore renewable assets”
Rik Aalders, managing director Green Tower, added: “We strongly believe that to accelerate the energy transition, a mix of different technologies should be developed to cater for the needs of different geographical regions, all with their own characteristics. SolarDuck offers a unique addition to the existing energy mix, which will open up a huge potential for further growth of renewable energy, both via standalone projects and in co-development with offshore wind. Green Tower is pleased to continue to be part of that journey together with the team of SolarDuck.”
Founded in 2019, SolarDuck has a pipeline of over 3.5GWp and has already secured projects around the world. Amongst other projects, work is being done on a 5MW demonstrator project to be installed at the Hollandse Kust West VII offshore wind park in the Netherlands (North Sea) in collaboration with RWE. When completed, it will be the largest hybrid floating solar plant in existence.
In addition, SolarDuck is providing Japan’s first ever offshore floating solar plant, to be installed in Tokyo Bay with local partners. A third project is underway with TNB Renewables in Malaysia. Ahead of these projects, SolarDuck will launch its offshore demonstrator project named ‘Merganser’ early next year. It will be installed and tested in the Dutch North Sea.
Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam and Invest-NL are new investors. Ralph van Drooge, Sr. Investment Manager at Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam, added: “We are pleased and proud to support SolarDuck in their promising journey in further developing and deploying offshore floating solar around the world. This is a great addition to accelerate the energy transition and very important for the Rotterdam region because of their positive social and environmental impact.”
