Gazelle Wind Power, the developer of a hybrid modular floating offshore wind platform based in Ireland, has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in Spanish naval engineering and marine consulting firm Faustino Carceller, S.L. (F. Carceller). Gazelle says the acquisition will help accelerate the technical development of its floating wind technology.

According to the floating wind platform developer, its shipbuilding approach to construction creates synergies for both companies, with F. Carceller being equipped to offer a wide range of services that will expand Gazelle’s in-house capabilities.

Using the latest technologies, the Spanish naval engineering firm will provide Gazelle with services such as design, refitting and conversion, stability calculations, construction management, and appraisals – while continuing to operate as an independent subsidiary of Gazelle and remaining focused on commercial fishing, marine, and shipping industries.

“This agreement allows us to continue servicing the needs of shipowners and shipyards to the highest ability—while giving us and our customers a pathway into the burgeoning offshore wind market”, said Pablo Carceller who, as part of this transaction, has been appointed CEO and Director of F. Carceller. “Gazelle’s unique offshore platform technology works in harmony with fishing corridors, making this partnership an ideal fit for both companies”.

Gazelle’s CEO, Jon Salazar, said that with F. Carceller’s technical personnel, Gazelle was better positioned to accelerate engineering processes, project development, R&D, and overall innovation activity.

“F. Carceller’s impeccable reputation, knowledge, and experience have established it as one of the premier naval architecture, engineering, and consulting companies in Spain over the last 35 years; their expertise in the marine market will be key for Gazelle as we transition into an exciting new phase of development for both our company and the offshore wind industry,” Salazar said.

The news about the acquisition of the controlling stake in F. Carceller comes shortly after Gazelle Wind Power introduced its third-generation floating offshore wind platform technology, which utilises shipbuilding industry processes for sourcing materials, construction, assembly, and transport.

The third-generation floating wind platform is said to also provide a lightweight, cheaper design that minimises the impact on marine environments by using less steel and materials that protect the biodiversity of marine ecosystems.

Last month, the company also announced that it partnered with the Portuguese renewable energy developer WAM Horizon for a pilot project in Aguçadoura.