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Offshore wind farms generate power from wind turbines built in bodies of water, with costs increasing the farther from the coast. The largest offshore wind farm is in Denmark, generating 369 MW, while the UK generates the most wind power. Models are being developed to reduce costs, including floating offshore wind farms. There are currently 28 offshore wind farms supplying electricity to eight countries, with 17 under construction. Proposed wind farms in the US, Germany, and China include the Wasatch wind farm, estimated to generate 4400 MW. Construction and decommissioning can pose a threat to marine life.
Offshore wind farms are power plants built into bodies of water. These farms can be erected in lakes, coastal streams, and oceans. The cost of building one increases the farther the wind turbines are from the coast. This increase in spending is based on the distance the electricity has to travel to get back to the ground and the cost of building the base on which the wind turbines will be placed.
As of 2009, the Horns Rev 2 wind farm in Denmark is the largest offshore farm in the world. It is located on Horns Reef which is a shallow area of the North Sea. The combined power generation of the two offshore wind farms located at Horns Rev 2 is approximately 369 megawatts (MW) per year. This is enough energy to power 350,000 homes in Denmark. The UK generates the most wind power, with Denmark falling in second place.
Currently, offshore wind farms are mainly built in shallow waters. Deeper waters are often characterized by high wave heights, resulting in additional construction costs. Models are being developed to reduce the cost of placing these power stations offshore, where wind speed and consistency could increase production. These models include floating offshore wind farms.
As of January 2009, there were 28 offshore wind farms currently supplying electricity to eight countries. Seventeen other offshore wind farms were under construction, with scheduled completion dates ranging from 2009 to 2012. In addition, there are 35 wind farms proposed to be built in the United States, Germany and China. The UK is responsible for 15 of the wind farms currently under construction or in the proposal stage.
While Denmark’s Horns Rev 2 wind farm is the largest with an output of 369 MW, a proposed wind farm in the Great Lakes area between the United States and Canada would deliver more than 10 times that amount. Initial estimates put the potential electrical capacity for the Wasatch wind farm, a combined effort between the two countries, at 4400 MW. The company set to build the Wasatch wind farm, Trillium Power Wind Corporation, is currently working on the three projects, including the Superior Array, Great Lakes Array and Trillium Power Wind 2 offshore wind farms.
Offshore wind farms take about six months to build and can last up to 20 years before being decommissioned. Time spent in the construction and decommissioning phases can pose a threat to surrounding marine life. Marine conservation groups and wind energy companies are studying these effects and any potential changes that could reduce the environmental impact on marine life.
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