Oil company plans first floating wind turbine

Offshore rig expertise being used in $80 million pilot project

OSLO, Norway – An oil company announced plans Thursday to build next year what it claims will be the world’s first full-scale floating wind turbine.

State-controlled StatoilHydro ASA, based in the western port of Stavanger, is the key producer in the offshore oil industry that makes Norway a major petroleum exporter.

The company said the $80 million pilot project combines its offshore oil experience with advanced technology for wind power.

MSNBC