Offshore wind power or offshore wind energy is the generation of electricity through wind farms in bodies of water, usually at sea. There are higher wind speeds offshore than on land, so offshore farms generate more electricity per amount of capacity installed. Offshore wind farms are also less controversial than those on land, as they have less impact on people and the landscape [1]

History:

Europe is the world leader in offshore wind power, with the first offshore wind farm (Vindeby) being installed in Denmark in 1991. In 2009, the average nameplate capacity of an offshore wind turbine in Europe was about 3 MW, and the capacity of future turbines was expected to increase to 5 MW. [1]

Types:

As a general rule, fixed foundation offshore wind turbines are considered technically viable in areas with water depth less than 50 meters (160 ft) and average wind speeds over 7 meters per second (23 ft/s). Floating offshore wind turbines are considered technically viable with water depths from 50 to 1,000 meters (160 to 3,280 ft). [1]

References

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