INA kicks off wind measurements on its gas platforms in Adriatic Sea

Croatian oil and gas company INA began to measure wind potential for offshore wind farms in the Adriatic Sea.

The project for calculating the wind potential in the Adriatic Sea will last at least 12 months, and it will be implemented by Zagreb-based Megajoule Adria. Wind speed will be measured on INA’s gas platforms in the Adriatic Sea called Izabela Sjever and Ivana A.

After the assessment is completed, INA will decide on investing in wind farms

INA’s goal is to secure a complete assessment of wind resources and their profitability, taking into account industry standards. It said it would will decide on investing in wind farms when it gets the results and noted that in January it signed contracts for the construction of solar power plants Virje and Sisak.

Of note, Professor Neven Duić earlier announced that INA is interested in offshore wind farms.

The measurement will be conducted by Megajoule Adria

Megajoule Adria is the supplier of lidar (LiDAR – light detection and ranging) devices. It was also hired for monitoring and commissioning. Wind’s speed and direction will be measured at higher altitudes in order to secure more valid data.

The installation was very demanding because it is the first of its kind in the region, and it was conducted in good cooperation with INA and SCAN, said Leo Jerkić, director of Megajoule Adria.

Of note, Megajoule Adria announced in late December that it would measure wind speed and direction on a client’s gas platforms in the North Adriatic using lidar technology. At the time, it failed to identify the client.

MOL intends to direct 50 percent of its investments into sustainable projects by 2030

Ante Crljenko, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at INA, said the company is interested in all profitable opportunities that can upgrade the existing value chain, and at the same time fit the green plans of Croatia and the European Union.

INA said it is strongly turning to green technologies, in line with the MOL Group’s strategy Shape Tomorrow 2030+. It envisages the development of renewables to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

The intention of MOL Group, the majority owner of INA, is to direct 50 percent of investments into sustainable projects.