Growth in renewable energy production helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the security of energy supply, and is therefore recognized as one of the pillars of the energy transition. Each country achieves this growth with a mix that depends on many factors; however, in Italy, significant growth in wind and photovoltaic capacity is expected in the coming decades. As far as wind power is concerned, the share in offshore is expected to increase. Due to the morphology of the seabed, the water depth is greater than 50 m even close to the coast in most Italian marine areas. Therefore, floating wind power is the most suitable technology to best exploit the offshore wind potential in Italy. This technology is not yet mature, but is at an advanced stage of demonstration.

Commercialization is expected between 2025 and 2030. Due to the growth of non-programmable renewables in power generation, the variability of wind, and the very large size of offshore wind farms, there will be substantial opportunities. Therefore, a preliminary assessment was made regarding the use of energy from programmed outages, and offshore wind energy in general, for green hydrogen production. The main objective of the study presented in this report is to perform a technical and economic analysis of future offshore wind farms in combination with green hydrogen production in Italy to assess their performance, impacts, and viability. The first step of this study was an exhaustive and up-to-date literature review on the cost and performance of wind, hydrogen, and combined plants.

The results obtained are presented. The second phase consisted of evaluating the Levelized Cost of Energy and Levelized Cost of Hydrogen in four representative case studies of offshore wind farms in different environmental and socioeconomic contexts in Italy (Sardinia, Sicily, Lazio and Emilia-Romagna). The evaluations refer to a time scale starting from 2030 and consider mature floating wind technology.

The results obtained show a range of electricity costs from 90 to 150 €/MWh and hydrogen costs from 3 to 8 €/kg and are in line with that reported in the literature. Performing these kinds of assessments is very important for all stakeholders and, in particular, for decision makers. This work is the first step in a broader study of hybrid renewable offshore systems.