Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generateelectricity from wind. Better wind speeds are available offshore compared to on land, so offshore wind power’s contribution in terms of electricity supplied is higher.However, offshore wind farms are relatively expensive. Siemens, REpower, and Vestas are the leading turbine suppliers for offshore wind power.Dong Energy, Vattenfall and E.on are the leading offshore operators.[1] As of October 2010, 3.16 GW of offshore wind power capacity was operational, mainly in Northern Europe. According to BTM Consult, more than 16 GW of additional capacity will be installed before the end of 2014 and the United Kingdom and Germany will become the two leading markets. Offshore wind power capacity is expected to reach a total of 75 GW worldwide by 2020, with significant contributions from China and the United States. As of February 2012, the Walney Wind Farm in United Kingdom is the largest offshore wind farm in the world at 367 MW, followed byThanet Offshore Wind Project (300 MW), also in the UK. The London Array (630 MW) is the largest project under construction. These projects will be dwarfed by subsequent wind farms that are in the pipeline, including Dogger Bank at 9,000 MW, Norfolk Bank (7,200 MW), and Irish Sea (4,200 MW). More than one offshore wind turbine was installed per working day in European waters in 2012, bringing the total to 1,662 in 55 offshore wind farms spanning territorial waters of ten European countries, according to year-end data compiled and presented in a European Wind Energy Association report released January 28. Installation of 293 offshore wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 1,165 megawatts (MW) represents a 33% increase from 2011, when offshore wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 874 MW were installed.
Installed offshore wind power generation capacity totaled 4,995 MW as of year-end 2012, according to EWEA’s report. The 293 offshore wind turbines installed in EU waters in 2012 represent investments of some €4 billion (~$5.2 billion). That is fuelling much-needed growth in employment and government tax revenues, as well as spurring innovation, enhancing EU economic competitiveness and making substantial reductions in the carbon and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of electrical power.
The UK led all EU countries in offshore wind turbine installations in 2012, accounting for nearly 60% of the annual total. Denmark, Belgium and Germany followed, accounting for 18%, 8%, and 6%, respectively.
US,China,Taiwan,Korea,France have ambitious plans to go in for Offshore Wind Farms. The US’ extensive coasts and strong, steady offshore winds hold an abundance of clean, renewable power potential. “Harnessing a realistic fraction of offshore wind’s potential — 52GW — could power 14 million homes with clean electrons while creating over 300,000 new jobs and $200 billion in new economic activity in some of our biggest cities,” according to a September 14, 2012 Clean Technica blog post based on the National Wildlife Foundation’s (NWF) “The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy,” report. Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India Wind Energy Expert E-mail: Anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com
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Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generateelectricity from wind. Better wind speeds are available offshore compared to on land, so offshore wind power’s contribution in terms of electricity supplied is higher.However, offshore wind farms are relatively expensive.
Siemens, REpower, and Vestas are the leading turbine suppliers for offshore wind power.Dong Energy, Vattenfall and E.on are the leading offshore operators.[1] As of October 2010, 3.16 GW of offshore wind power capacity was operational, mainly in Northern Europe. According to BTM Consult, more than 16 GW of additional capacity will be installed before the end of 2014 and the United Kingdom and Germany will become the two leading markets. Offshore wind power capacity is expected to reach a total of 75 GW worldwide by 2020, with significant contributions from China and the United States.
As of February 2012, the Walney Wind Farm in United Kingdom is the largest offshore wind farm in the world at 367 MW, followed byThanet Offshore Wind Project (300 MW), also in the UK. The London Array (630 MW) is the largest project under construction. These projects will be dwarfed by subsequent wind farms that are in the pipeline, including Dogger Bank at 9,000 MW, Norfolk Bank (7,200 MW), and Irish Sea (4,200 MW).
More than one offshore wind turbine was installed per working day in European waters in 2012, bringing the total to 1,662 in 55 offshore wind farms spanning territorial waters of ten European countries, according to year-end data compiled and presented in a European Wind Energy Association report released January 28.
Installation of 293 offshore wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 1,165 megawatts (MW) represents a 33% increase from 2011, when offshore wind turbines with a total rated capacity of 874 MW were installed.
Installed offshore wind power generation capacity totaled 4,995 MW as of year-end 2012, according to EWEA’s report. The 293 offshore wind turbines installed in EU waters in 2012 represent investments of some €4 billion (~$5.2 billion). That is fuelling much-needed growth in employment and government tax revenues, as well as spurring innovation, enhancing EU economic competitiveness and making substantial reductions in the carbon and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of electrical power.
The UK led all EU countries in offshore wind turbine installations in 2012, accounting for nearly 60% of the annual total. Denmark, Belgium and Germany followed, accounting for 18%, 8%, and 6%, respectively.
US,China,Taiwan,Korea,France have ambitious plans to go in for Offshore Wind Farms.
The US’ extensive coasts and strong, steady offshore winds hold an abundance of clean, renewable power potential. “Harnessing a realistic fraction of offshore wind’s potential — 52GW — could power 14 million homes with clean electrons while creating over 300,000 new jobs and $200 billion in new economic activity in some of our biggest cities,” according to a September 14, 2012 Clean Technica blog post based on the National Wildlife Foundation’s (NWF) “The Turning Point for Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy,” report.
Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore(AP),India
Wind Energy Expert
E-mail: Anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com
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