The £80million eco superyacht: Hybrid vessel uses solar power and ‘skysail’ to provide power… and has its own helipad and mini-submarines

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A groundbreaking eco-friendly superyacht with wind turbines, solar panels and propelled by a 'skysail' can go months without ever needing to come back to land.

Billionaires can now stay away from shore and explore the harshest conditions in the world in the new £80million vessel, which is covered in more than 200 square metres of solar panels.

And just in case there's no sun, the yacht's hybrid engine will also be assisted by retractable wind and wave turbines as well as the skysail, which is a kite-like rig capable of propelling the ship.

Perfect for a modern-day Jacques Cousteau, the Green Expedition's self-efficient capabilities mean that if the crew have food and water, the 213ft vessel could go for more than 60 days without needing to return to a dock.

By comparison, a current superyacht has a far shorter range, typically restricting its time at sea to weeks rather than months.

The Green Expedition can cope with the harshest conditions on earth. Swedish designer Dennis Ingemansson said: 'My inspiration was to create a type of green vessel which could travel to very far away destinations such as Antarctica and not harm the environment around it'

The eco-friendly superyacht has mini-subs and a helipad for the 12 guests to enjoy. Ingemansson said: 'The panoramic 360-degree sea view on the captain's deck is also designed as a penthouse, which will be a truly amazing place for the yacht's owner.'

The £80million Green Expedition has a skysail and more than 200 square metres of solar panels. The skysail, seen deployed, is a kite-like rig capable of propelling the ship 

Sleeping 12 guests and up to 20 crew members, it will even be equipped with its own helicopter and a mini-submarine which can dive to an incredible depth of 300 metres.

The sleek 1,400 gross tonne monster boasts a superstructure steel hull with Ice Class 1A classification, meaning it is fit to sail through the harshest Arctic conditions.

The yacht has separate helicopter and submarine hangars and if it's too cold to swim outside, the owner can take a dip in the onboard heated swimming pool.

Superyacht designer Dennis Ingemansson said he was inspired to create an eco-friendly vessel that can travel anywhere in the world but also have the least amount of effect on its environment.

The 37-year-old Swedish designer said: 'I have been doing research for this type of vessel for several years.

'My inspiration was to create a type of green vessel which could travel to very far away destinations such as Antarctica and not harm the environment around it.

Bored with diving and flying over the Antarctic? Guests can use a heated swimming pool and jetskis instead of venturing below the waves. The designer said: 'It is also a true expedition superyacht, designed for the toughest weathers and climates anywhere in the world'

The superyacht still needs a diesel engine because, as Ingemasson says 'The solar cells themselves can unfortunately not power the entire vessel to move forward. 'However the retractable wind and wave turbines, skysail, and onboard recycling systems are extremely helpful in reducing fuel consumption'

'There has never been any boat built with truly green features like this one.

'The solar cells themselves can unfortunately not power the entire vessel to move forward.

'However the retractable wind and wave turbines, skysail, and onboard recycling systems are extremely helpful in reducing fuel consumption.

'While the yacht is lying still for several days out on an expedition in exotic destinations, the yacht doesn't need any diesel, thanks to these green solutions.

'Meaning this will not harm the local eco-system.

'It is also a true expedition superyacht, designed for the toughest weathers and climates anywhere in the world.

'The panoramic 360-degree sea view on the captain's deck is also designed as a penthouse, which will be a truly amazing place for the yacht's owner.'