A floating wind turbine is an offshore wind turbine mounted on a floating structure that allows the turbine to generate electricity in water depths where fixed-foundation turbines are not feasible.[1][2] Floating wind farms have the potential to significantly increase the sea area available for offshore wind farms, especially in countries with limited shallow waters, such as Spain, Portugal, Japan, France and the United States' West Coast. Locating wind farms further offshore can also reduce visual pollution,[2] provide better accommodation for fishing and shipping lanes,[3][4] and reach stronger and more consistent winds.[5]
Commercial floating wind turbines are mostly at the early phase of development, with several single turbine prototypes having been installed since 2007, and the first farms since 2017. As of October 2024[update], there are 245 MW of operational floating wind turbines, with a future pipeline of 266 GW around the world.[6]
The Hywind Tampen floating offshore wind farm, recognized as the world's largest, began operating in August 2023. Located approximately 140 kilometers off the coast of Norway, it consists of 11 turbines and is expected to supply about 35% of the electricity needs for five nearby oil and gas platforms.[7] When it was consented in April 2024, the Green Volt offshore wind farm off the north-east coast of Scotland was the world's largest consented floating offshore wind farm at 560 MW from 35 turbines each rated at 16 MW. It will mostly supply electricity to decarbonise offshore oil, but will also provide power to the National Grid.[8]
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