Simply Blue Group
Simply Blue Group is a Cork-based blue-economy project developer that develops floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind, wave energy, sustainable fuels, and aquaculture projects, partnering with energy majors through JVs across nine-plus countries on a multi-gigawatt pipeline.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersCork, Ireland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Simply Blue Group does
Simply Blue Group is a Cork, Ireland-based blue-economy project developer founded in 2011, employing 100+ staff across offices in Ireland, the UK, Spain, Portugal, and North America. The company develops floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind projects (an 8 GW floating + 4 GW fixed-bottom pipeline across Ireland, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Canada, Greece, the US, and the Nordics) alongside adjacent marine-energy lines including wave energy (Saoirse), sustainable aviation fuel and methanol production in Canada, Ireland, and Australia, and low-impact aquaculture (Loch Long Salmon semi-closed salmon farm; North Sea Farm 1 commercial-scale seaweed consortium with North Sea Farmers). Floating wind is enabled by mooring platforms deployable in deeper waters beyond fixed-bottom depth limits, supplemented by the FASTWIND satellite-based wind-yield analytics partnership with Exceedence and NORCE.
The company operates a pure B2B project-development model: it bids into government seabed leasing rounds (Crown Estate Scotland's ScotWind and INTOG, Nova Scotia auctions), secures development rights and consents, then brings in energy majors as joint venture partners — Ørsted (Salamander, 80%), TotalEnergies (Blue Gem Wind, Celtic Sea), EDF Renewables Ireland (Western Star, Emerald), Subsea7, and historically Shell — who acquire majority stakes and provide construction capital and offtake. Simply Blue retains minority equity, development fees, and project-management roles. Adjacent blue-economy lines (SAF, wave, aquaculture, seaweed) extend the same site-co-location thesis and create multiple revenue vectors within offshore wind farm footprints. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated within bespoke JV structures.
Since 2021 the company has raised €27.5 million from Octopus Renewables and Octopus Energy Generation, and in October 2025 Kansai Electric Power Co. (KEPCO) acquired a majority stake in its offshore wind development arm, Simply Blue Energy OSW Ltd., through its KPIC Netherlands B.V. subsidiary — KEPCO's first management-participation investment in an offshore wind developer. The governance reset in 2025–2026 installed David Povall as Chairman alongside four KEPCO-aligned directors, while founder Hugh Kelly continues as Co-Founder and CEO.
Simply Blue Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Simply Blue Group
- Legal name
- Simply Blue Group
- Website
- https://simplyblueenergy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Simply Blue Group is a Cork-based blue-economy project developer that develops floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind, wave energy, sustainable fuels, and aquaculture projects, partnering with energy majors through JVs across nine-plus countries on a multi-gigawatt pipeline.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Simply Blue Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Offshore Wind Project Development
- NAICS
- Aquaculture (11251)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Offshore Wind Project Development & Leasing (EUAMACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Offshore Wind Substructures & Marine Engineering (Monopiles, Jackets, Floating) (EUAMACAE), Offshore Wind & Marine Spatial Planning Regulation (EUAMANAM), Marine & Hydrokinetic R&D (Tidal, Wave, River Current, OTEC) (EUAMAOAD), Offshore & Open-Ocean Aquaculture (AFAEAAAH)
Keywords
Where Simply Blue Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cork
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Simply Blue Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Offshore Wind Project Development: Simply Blue Group develops offshore wind projects from early-stage development through permitting, bringing in JV partners (energy majors) who acquire majority stakes. The company retains minority interests and development fees while partners provide capital for construction.
- Joint Venture Partnerships: Company forms JVs with energy majors (TotalEnergies for Blue Gem Wind, Ørsted for Salamander, Shell for Western Star/Emerald) where partners acquire majority stakes and Simply Blue contributes project pipeline and development expertise.
- Blue Economy Diversification: Development of sustainable fuels (SAF, methanol), wave energy (Saoirse), seaweed farming, and low-impact aquaculture projects creating additional revenue streams through renewable energy parks and biomass processing.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Simply Blue Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Simply Blue Group is a marine project developer that originates, develops, and partners large-scale floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind projects, alongside wave energy, sustainable fuels (SAF, methanol), and low-impact aquaculture initiatives. The company secures seabed leases and project rights through government auctions, then brings in energy majors (Ørsted, TotalEnergies, EDF) as joint venture partners who provide capital and offtake while Simply Blue contributes pipeline, consenting expertise, and development capabilities.
Product overview
Simply Blue Group is a blue economy project developer headquartered in Cork, Ireland, established in 2011. The company develops multiple categories of ocean-based projects: offshore wind development (both floating and fixed-bottom), wave energy, sustainable fuels production, and low-impact aquaculture. The portfolio includes Simply Blue Energy OSW Ltd as the core offshore wind development arm managing projects across Ireland, UK, Scotland, Wales, Spain, Portugal, Canada, and Greece totaling 8 GW of floating and 4 GW of fixed-bottom wind capacity. The company operates through joint ventures including Blue Gem Wind (with TotalEnergies) for UK projects, TotalEnergies SBE US for American markets, and Salamander (with Ørsted and Subsea7). Additional business divisions include sustainable fuels projects producing SAF and methanol, wave energy initiatives like Saoirse, aquaculture projects including Loch Long Salmon, and seaweed farming through North Sea Farm 1 consortium.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Blue Gem Wind: Joint venture brand with TotalEnergies for floating offshore wind projects in Wales and the Celtic Sea, including Erebus (100MW demonstration project) and Valorous.
- IberBlue Wind
- Simply Blue Energy OSW Ltd.
Products and services
- Western Star Floating Wind Floating offshore wind project off the west coast of County Clare, Ireland, developed in partnership with EDF Power Solutions Ireland, targeting Atlantic Ocean wind potential.
- Emerald Floating Wind Floating offshore wind project off the south coast of Cork, Ireland, near the decommissioned Kinsale gas field, envisioned as an energy transition example with potential total capacity of up to 1.3GW.
- Salamander Offshore Wind Farm 100 MW floating wind project located 35 km off Peterhead, Scotland, developed as a joint venture between Simply Blue Energy, Odfjell Oceanwind, and Seaway7, designed as a stepping stone to scale the Scottish floating wind supply chain.
- Aird Mhór na Mara Offshore wind project in Ireland supporting Ireland's target of at least 37 GW of offshore wind by 2050 and commitment to 80% renewable electricity.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8 GW floating + 4 GW fixed-bottom offshore wind pipeline across 8+ countries
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Simply Blue Group
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Simply Blue Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Simply Blue Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and former.
- Odfjell OceanwindcoreOdfjell Oceanwind acquired Ørsted's 80% share in the Salamander Offshore Wind Farm in August 2025. Simply Blue Group continues as project development partner alongside Subsea7.
- North Sea FarmersminorSimply Blue Group joined North Sea Farm 1 consortium to develop world's first commercial-scale seaweed farm within an offshore wind farm. Project sponsored by Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund, located off Netherlands coast.
- Octopus Energy GenerationcoreOctopus Energy Generation taking forward Simply Blue Group's Sustainable Fuels project in Nova Scotia, Canada. Ensures continued investment in the renewable energy park and SAF production facility.
- Electricity Supply Board (ESB)coreESB joined Simply Blue Group as partner on pioneering Saoirse Wave Energy project off County Clare coast. Initial phase will deploy 5MW wave farm array.
- EDF Renewables IrelandcoreEDF Renewables Ireland entered partnership to develop Western Star and Emerald floating wind projects off the Irish coast. Western Star is off Co. Clare west coast; Emerald is near decommissioned Kinsale gas field. Both projects have capacity potential of 1.3-1.35GW each.
- ArchirodoncoreSimply Blue Group and Archirodon (international EPC contractor and RES developer with marine infrastructure expertise) launched ArcoBlue JV for floating offshore wind development, including potential projects in Greece.
- Irving OilminorIrving Oil and Simply Blue Group announced plans in September 2022 to explore renewable energy hub at Irving's Whitegate site in Ireland. Simply Blue subsequently acquired land at Whitegate for sustainable fuels development.
- Proes Consultores (Amper Group)corePartnership formed with Spanish engineering company Proes Consultores (engineering division of Amper Group) and FF New Energy Venture to form IberBlue Wind JV for developing floating offshore wind in Spain and Portugal. Consortium exploring >2GW of opportunities.
- FF New Energy VenturescorePartnership with FF NEV (Spanish renewable energy developer) as part of IberBlue Wind JV for Spain and Portugal floating offshore wind development.
- ØrstedcoreØrsted acquired 80% majority stake in Salamander floating offshore wind project (100 MW, 35km off Peterhead, Scotland) in 2022. Project is a joint venture with Simply Blue Group and Subsea7, designed as a stepping-stone for floating wind technology development in Scotland.
- Subsea7coreSubsea7 is a joint venture partner in the Salamander floating offshore wind project alongside Ørsted and Simply Blue Group. Brings offshore project delivery expertise and detailed knowledge of Scottish supply chain.
- EolusformerSeaSapphire JV was established in 2022 (50/50 ownership) to develop floating offshore wind in Nordics (Sweden, Finland). Following strategic portfolio review in 2024, Simply Blue transferred its 50% share to Eolus in exchange for future profit-sharing mechanism.
- ShellformerShell signed agreement in November 2021 to acquire 51% stake in Western Star and Emerald floating wind projects with Simply Blue Group. However, Shell confirmed in September 2022 that it would end its involvement in both projects. EDF Renewables subsequently partnered on these projects.
- TotalEnergiescoreBlue Gem Wind is a joint venture between TotalEnergies and Simply Blue Group developing floating offshore wind projects in Welsh waters of the Celtic Sea. First project is Erebus (100MW demonstration), with Valorous also in development. JV established March 2020.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Simply Blue Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Principle Power: Principle Power is a floating offshore wind technology specialist developing the WindFloat platform. It is the closest direct peer to Simply Blue in floating offshore wind, with overlapping focus on deep-water floating wind project development and a similar role as a non-utility technology/development partner to energy majors.
- BlueFloat Energy: BlueFloat Energy is a floating offshore wind project developer focused on Southern European markets including Spain, Portugal, and Italy. It directly competes with Simply Blue in the Iberian floating wind market and pursues a similar JV-led development model with energy majors.
- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP): CIP is one of the largest dedicated renewable energy fund managers and offshore wind developers globally, with significant floating wind exposure via its Flagship Funds and the Energy Transition Fund. It competes with Simply Blue for lease positions in ScotWind, Nova Scotia, and other floating wind markets.
- Aker Offshore Wind: Aker Offshore Wind is a Norwegian floating offshore wind developer leveraging Aker Group's offshore engineering and oil & gas heritage. It competes with Simply Blue in Nordic and North Sea floating wind lease rounds and pursues a comparable JV-led development strategy with energy majors.
- BW Ideol: BW Ideol is a floating offshore wind technology and project developer with its proprietary Damping Pool floating foundation. It pursues project development in France, Japan, and other markets and is comparable to Simply Blue as a smaller-scale floating wind specialist competing for early-stage lease positions.
- Mainstream Renewable Power: Mainstream Renewable Power is a global renewable energy developer backed by Aker Horizons with floating wind exposure in Scotland, Norway, and Vietnam. It is comparable to Simply Blue as a project developer leveraging JV partnerships to scale offshore wind pipelines.
- Wpd Offshore: Wpd Offshore is the offshore wind development arm of German wpd group, active in both fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind across European and Asian markets. It is comparable to Simply Blue as a multi-market offshore wind project developer competing for lease positions and forming JV partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Equinor (Hywind): Equinor is the operator of Hywind Scotland and Hywind Tampen, the world's first floating offshore wind farms. As a major integrated energy company with deep floating wind operational experience, it is both a potential competitor and partner for Simply Blue, and shapes industry benchmarks for floating wind economics.
- Ocean Winds: Ocean Winds is the offshore wind JV between EDP and Engie, with a multi-gigawatt pipeline across fixed-bottom and floating offshore wind. As a major utility-backed offshore wind pure-play, it competes with Simply Blue in European and Asian lease rounds while also being a potential JV counterparty.
Emerging players
- Hexicon: Hexicon is a Swedish floating offshore wind developer using twin-turbine platforms. As a smaller, publicly listed floating wind specialist, it is comparable to Simply Blue in focusing on deep-water floating wind but operates with a smaller pipeline and a single proprietary technology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Simply Blue Group social profiles
Digital presenceSimply Blue Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Simply Blue Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Simply Blue Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Simply Blue Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Simply Blue Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Simply Blue Group
What does Simply Blue Group do?
Simply Blue Group is a marine project developer that originates, develops, and partners large-scale floating and fixed-bottom offshore wind projects, alongside wave energy, sustainable fuels (SAF, methanol), and low-impact aquaculture initiatives. The company secures seabed leases and project rights through government auctions, then brings in energy majors (Ørsted, TotalEnergies, EDF) as joint venture partners who provide capital and offtake while Simply Blue contributes pipeline, consenting expertise, and development capabilities.
Is Simply Blue Group a public or private company?
Simply Blue Group is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Simply Blue Group founded?
Simply Blue Group was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Simply Blue Group based?
Simply Blue Group is headquartered in Cork, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Simply Blue Group make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Offshore Wind Project Development is the primary driver. The others are joint Venture Partnerships and blue Economy Diversification.
Who are Simply Blue Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Principle Power, BlueFloat Energy, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), Aker Offshore Wind, BW Ideol, Mainstream Renewable Power and Wpd Offshore. Broad incumbents are Equinor (Hywind) and Ocean Winds. Hexicon is listed as an emerging player.
Does Simply Blue Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Simply Blue Group.
What industry is Simply Blue Group in?
Simply Blue Group's product category is Offshore Wind Project Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMACAB, Offshore Wind Project Development & Leasing, with a secondary code of EUAMACAE, Offshore Wind Substructures & Marine Engineering (Monopiles, Jackets, Floating). Its NAICS code is 11251.