UK-based DRIFT Energy plans to deploy more than 50 wind-powered sailing vessels that will produce green hydrogen offshore, backed by a $500 million investment framework from Commenda Capital Partners aimed at scaling up the new production model.
The project seeks to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production, which remains expensive because it requires large amounts of renewable electricity and significant infrastructure. The company said producing hydrogen at sea could offer an alternative to conventional land-based facilities, Carbon Credit reported.
According to DRIFT Energy, each vessel will generate electricity using underwater turbines that rotate as the boat moves through the water. The electricity will power an onboard electrolyzer, which uses desalinated seawater to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will then be compressed, stored on the vessel and transported to ports.
Unlike conventional offshore wind projects, the vessels will not require fixed foundations, subsea cables or hydrogen pipelines. Instead, they will sail to areas with strong winds, produce green hydrogen offshore and deliver it directly to shore.
The company said the approach could reduce capital costs and transmission losses while enabling hydrogen production in remote offshore locations that are difficult to serve with conventional infrastructure.
To support the project, DRIFT Energy has signed a $500 million financing framework agreement with Commenda Capital Partners. The funding is expected to support the construction of at least 50 vessels, making it one of the largest planned fleets dedicated to offshore green hydrogen production.
“Securing this financing framework with Commenda Capital is an important step in proving that DRIFT’s model is not only visionary, but bankable and scalable. It positions us to lead the deployment of the world’s first energy-harvesting vessels and to show how clean energy can be produced offshore and delivered directly to end users,” said Ben Medland, Chief Executive Officer of DRIFT Energy.
