Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán visited Astilleros Ría de Vigo in Spain to review the development of Bibby Marine’s new electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV), which is being built to support offshore wind projects. The vessel will feature more than 24 MWh of battery energy storage capacity, making it one of the largest battery-powered vessels of its kind.
During the visit, Galán met executives from Astilleros Ría de Vigo, Bibby Marine and Seaplace, the company responsible for the vessel’s design. Bibby Marine has previously participated as a supplier in Iberdrola’s offshore wind projects. The visit focused on the vessel’s propulsion and energy storage systems, as well as the shipyard’s industrial and technological capabilities for developing complex, low-carbon maritime solutions.
Iberdrola said maritime transport is a critical component of the offshore wind value chain and highlighted the importance of electrifying the sector to support the construction and operation of new offshore wind farms. The company currently operates nearly 3.2 GW of offshore wind capacity across the UK, Germany, France and the U.S., backed by approximately €13 billion in investment, while another 2.7 GW is under construction with nearly €10 billion in additional investment. The company said initiatives such as Bibby Marine’s electric vessel can contribute to the wider electrification of shipping, industrial competitiveness and the decarbonisation of the energy sector.
