🏭CommercialRenewable Energy • Wind

Offshore Wind Turbines

Offshore wind turbines harness stronger and more consistent winds at sea to generate electricity. Modern offshore turbines can reach 15+ MW capacity with capacity factors of 40-60%, significantly higher than onshore wind. Major projects include Hornsea One (1.2 GW) and planned developments exceeding 2 GW. Floating platforms enable deployment in deeper waters, expanding potential installation sites globally.

How It Works

Large wind turbines are installed on fixed foundations in shallow waters (<60m) or floating platforms in deeper waters (>60m). Advanced gearless direct-drive generators convert rotational energy to electricity. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines carry power to shore over long distances with minimal losses.

Advantages

Higher capacity factors (40-60% vs 25-35% onshore), stronger and more consistent winds at sea, less visual and noise impact on communities, larger turbines possible due to fewer transportation constraints, and massive scalable potential with floating platforms.

Challenges

Higher installation and maintenance costs due to marine environment, complex grid connection requiring HVDC infrastructure, environmental impacts on marine ecosystems and bird migration, challenging maintenance access in rough weather, and saltwater corrosion issues.