A floating offshore windfarm delivers renewable energy generation in deeper ocean waters, where typically wind speeds are higher and more consistent. Rather than turbines being fixed on structures that penetrate the seabed, floating developments deploy turbines mounted on floating substructures that are held in position by mooring lines.
The floating turbines then simply connect to a cable that runs under the sea to a substation on land, before transferring the clean energy to the electricity grid.
There are a number of benefits to floating offshore wind compared to fixed-bottom developments:
- More clean power: Offshore locations with a water depth of 60 metres or more typically have strong, consistent winds and so greater potential to generate more energy. Floating windfarms allow us to harness that power by developing windfarms in deep or complex seabed areas
- Safer: Being further from the shore means less contact with many coastal and sea users, reducing the risk of incidents
- Less visual impact: The Green Volt windfarm development location will not be visible to the naked eye from shore, reducing the visual impact for local communities
- Huge future potential: Floating offshore wind in the North Sea holds significant potential due to the ability to access deeper waters and stronger winds that are less obstructed
There are a number of benefits of floating offshore wind compared to fixed-bottom floating wind:
- More clean power: Offshore waters of a depth of 60 metres or more have strong winds and so greater potential to generate more energy. Floating windfarms allow us to harness that power by building windfarms in very deep or complex seabed locations
- Safer: Being further from the shore means less contact with other sea users, reducing the risk of incidents
- Less visual impact: On most days, Green Volt will not be invisible to the naked eye from the shore, reducing the visual impact for local communities
- Huge future potential: Floating offshore wind in the North Sea holds significant potential due to the ability to access deeper waters, stronger winds, and greater flexibility in site selection
