Offshore wind energy in deep waters opens up massive power potential

Offshore wind energy in deep waters opens up massive power potential

Floating turbine designs are cost-competitive with fixed-bottom designs in waters over 50 metres deep. If challenges are successfully met, deep water wind farms could be operating in four years’ time.

Offshore wind is one of the fastest growing maritime sectors. Its installed capacity was 5 GW at end 2012, and by 2020 this could be eight times higher, at 40 GW, meeting 4% of European electricity demand. By 2030, offshore wind capacity could total 150 GW, meeting 14% of the EU