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New research from TGS and 4C Offshore suggests hybrid foundations could compete in depths previously reserved for floating technology

24 Apr 2026

A long-held assumption in the renewable energy sector is facing fresh scrutiny following new research into offshore wind foundations. Data released by TGS and 4C Offshore indicates that fixed-bottom and hybrid technologies are becoming viable at depths previously considered the exclusive domain of floating turbines.

The analysis focuses on the 60-to-400-metre depth range. Historically, the industry viewed 60 metres as the transition point where fixed structures became economically and technically impractical. However, emerging engineering solutions are now extending the reach of traditional foundations, potentially reclassifying significant portions of the global offshore resource map.

According to the findings, while more than 70% of global offshore wind potential has been categorised as "floating," this share may decrease as alternative structures mature. The researchers noted that while floating wind remains a "vital part of the offshore energy mix," it can no longer be viewed as the automatic technical default for deep-water sites.

This shift carries significant implications for capital allocation and national energy strategies. In Europe, several governments have designed auction frameworks and subsidy schemes based on the premise of floating wind's dominance in deeper seas. If hybrid foundations achieve commercial viability in the 60-to-200-metre range, the addressable market for floating platforms could contract, increasing competition for project financing.

The offshore sector is currently navigating a period of high capital costs and supply chain constraints. Floating wind, which is still in the early stages of commercial scaling, faces particular pressure to reduce levelised costs. The entry of competing technologies into deeper waters suggests the window for floating wind to establish market dominance may be narrowing.

Industry regulators and investors must now weigh whether to maintain current technology-specific mandates or adopt more neutral procurement models that allow fixed, hybrid, and floating solutions to compete on a cost-per-megawatt basis. The pace of this technological overlap will likely determine the structure of upcoming seabed lease rounds in the North Sea and the Atlantic.