SBM Offshore has announced a global collaboration with Microsoft to develop AI-powered floating power solutions. The partnership aims to deliver standardized, carbon-free electricity to meet the increasing demand for reliable and affordable energy.
The collaboration will integrate Microsoft’s AI, cloud computing, and digital sustainability tools with SBM Offshore’s expertise in scalable ocean energy infrastructure. This approach seeks to accelerate the adoption of floating power generation, addressing industrial electrification and regional grid integration needs.
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According to a statement on the new venture – issued March 13 – the companies will explore cloud-based solutions, advanced analytics, and AI applications for floating power generation. AI-powered tools will enhance system reliability, optimize energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs. Key technologies include Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry, and Fabric, which will support asset lifecycle assessment, real-time carbon measurement, and predictive maintenance.
SBM Offshore’s Chief Business Officer Olivier Icyk said, “We are excited to announce this agreement with Microsoft. Together, we will be able to identify the best approach for industries to achieve firm, scalable, and investment-ready clean energy solutions. SBM Offshore’s expertise in floating energy infrastructure and Microsoft’s digital intelligence expertise will boost the energy transition and will enable companies to create a more sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.”
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The first phase will focus on deploying floating gas power solutions with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in the UK Continental Shelf and Norwegian Continental Shelf. This builds on SBM Offshore’s partnership with Norway’s Ocean-Power AS and will serve as a model for expansion across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas.
Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President, Energy and Resources Industry at Microsoft, added, “Microsoft is committed to advancing sustainability solutions that enable new models of carbon-free electricity generation. Through our collaboration with SBM Offshore, we are exploring how AI-powered technology can help optimize and scale clean energy solutions in floating power applications.”
