What Are Some Of The Future Offshore Windfarm Projects?

Wind power is inexorable and to meet the demand for alternative energy sources, wind power generators are deployed on both at sea and land. Residential wind power generators are becoming increasingly efficient and practical, allowing home wind power to proliferate. Moreover, do it yourself wind turbines are increasing in number across the country with very innovative designs. Since the first offshore wind turbine installed in Denmark in 1991, offshore wind power has come a long way. The UK generates 34 percent of the world’s capacity off its coast, and it also has Walney Extension, which is the largest offshore wind farm in the world with 659MW capacity.

In June 2020, Hornsea One, located in the North Sea, is scheduled for completion and will add to the capacity of the UK. The wind farm has a total capacity of 1.2GW and encompasses 174 7MW wind turbines manufactured by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE). Orsted and Global Infrastructure Partners have come together

with a six billion Euro investment project for the Humberside region of the UK. After completion, the project will be able to power one million homes in the UK for 25 years. Hornsea One is 120km far from the English coast, which is a world record in itself.

The UK is the global leader in wind power, and East Angila One wind farm is going to be adding to the country’s prowess. The wind farm began construction in 2017 and is located 43km off the coast of Suffolk in the North Sea. East Angila One will generate 714MW wind energy from its 102 turbines, which has also been manufactured by SGRE. The wind farm will be operational in 2020. Both Hornsea One and East Angila One are part of the UK government’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal.

In the Netherlands, off the coast of Zeeland province, the Borssele offshore wind farm is set to be completed by 2020. The wind farm can generate 752MW from its 948MW turbines provided by SGRE. Borssele is also developed by Orsted and will power one million homes each year in the Netherlands. Borssele falls under the Dutch government’s Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth plan. The plan was launched in 2013 with the aim of developing 3.5GW by 2023.

Denmark is already a wind energy powerhouse with Orsted and Vestas, but with Kriegers Flak offshore wind farm, the country will reach new heights. The wind farm will generate 600MW energy and will be fully functional in 2020. Kriegers is developed by Swedish energy company Vattenfall with SGRE providing 113 turbines and will power 600,000 homes per year.

Vineyard offshore windfarm will be the first major offshore wind farm in the U.S. The wind farm is located off the coast of New York, and it is developed by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners. By 2021, the project will churn out 800MW energy. Vineyard is in a precarious position due to interagency disputes with the US government. Different agencies, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), have refused to approve the project. Despite the issues, Vineyard will be the fourth largest offshore wind capacity by 2020.