Adapting floating offshore wind-hydrogen systems for emerging markets: the case of the Ica region, Peru

The transition to sustainable energy systems is essential for reducing the carbon footprint of maritime and port infrastructure, particularly along South America's Pacific coast. This paper investigates the design of a floating platform for stand-alone offshore wind-powered hydrogen production, focusing on the central coast of Peru, which holds exceptional offshore wind potential. The system integrates hydrogen production facilities with the IEA 15-MW reference floating offshore wind turbine mounted on a semi-submersible platform, emphasizing key design aspects from the perspective of motion dynamics. Stability and site-specific hydrodynamic analyses are conducted under representative sea states and wind conditions of the Ica offshore region to evaluate the accelerations imposed on hydrogen production equipment. Results highlight the benign yet energetic environment of Ica, which offers favourable wind consistency, moderate waves, and reduced extremes compared to benchmark North Atlantic sites. These findings confirm the technical feasibility of floating wind-hydrogen integration in Peru, demonstrating that platform responses remain well within recommended design criteria. By coupling renewable power generation with hydrogen production at sea, the study demonstrates a pathway to decarbonize port operations and strengthen the sustainability and resilience of maritime infrastructure in Peru and the wider Pacific region.