SeaTwirl and the Australian company Hunter Floating Offshore Wind Pty Ltd (HFLOW) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 22 September 2026. It covers a proposed 20 MW floating offshore wind demonstration project off the coast of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. According to the two companies, the agreement took effect upon signature.

A split of roles between developer and technology provider

HFLOW is leading project development in Australia. It handles permits, stakeholder engagement, financing, and port and grid connection. SeaTwirl contributes its technology, a reference design and engineering support.

The intended turbine is a 2 MW floating vertical-axis turbine that SeaTwirl is developing under the EU-funded VERTI-GO project. HFLOW is applying for a research and demonstration licence for the Hunter offshore wind zone off Newcastle. One of the project's objectives is to establish a pathway to larger commercial deployments, according to the agreement.

24-month exclusivity, with no financial commitment

The MoU includes a 24-month mutual exclusivity clause. HFLOW will base the project on SeaTwirl's technology and will not use any other floating wind technology. SeaTwirl, for its part, will not appoint any other Australian development partner for the project.

Each party will bear its own costs during the preparatory phase. The document specifies no amounts, values or commitments regarding delivery or investment. Until separate, binding agreements are in place, neither party is obliged to proceed with the project.

Arguments put forward on the Australian market

Johan Sandberg, CEO of SeaTwirl, describes Australia as a young offshore wind market. He says yard infrastructure is not built out there and domestic vessels cannot install conventional offshore turbines. He indicates that SeaTwirl intends to show its turbines can be built without large yard investments and operated with smaller vessels.

Richard Finlay-Jones, Director of Development at HFLOW, says the technology could enable a cheaper, more versatile form of offshore wind. It could also create local manufacturing opportunities without significant investment in port infrastructure and specialised vessels, he says. These statements are the companies' own, and the project remains subject to obtaining the licence and concluding binding agreements.