offshoretuulivoimaasennukset

Offshore wind energy refers to electricity generated by rotating turbines located in bodies of water, typically in seas or oceans, rather than on land. Offshore wind farms harness stronger and more consistent winds than onshore sites, enabling higher capacity factors and larger electricity outputs. They can be sited in shallow waters using fixed-bottom foundations or in deeper waters using floating platforms.

Technically, offshore wind involves large turbines connected to subsea cables. Each turbine converts wind into electrical power, which is collected by an offshore substation and transmitted via a high-voltage export cable to the onshore grid. Turbine sizes have increased in recent years, with newer installations commonly in the 8 to 14 megawatt range, and rotor diameters extending beyond 150 meters. Foundations for fixed-bottom systems include monopiles and jackets, suitable for shallow to mid-depth seas, while floating platforms such as spar, semi-submersible, and tension leg designs enable operations in deeper waters.

Construction, operation, and maintenance are specialized by marine conditions. Installations require barges, jack-up vessels, and other heavy-lift equipment. Maintenance work is often weather- and sea-state dependent, and projects typically plan for remote monitoring, planned accessibility windows, and periodic major component checks. Transmission to shore uses subsea cables and offshore substations to step up voltage for efficient long-distance delivery.

Offshore wind offers substantial emissions reductions for power systems and can contribute to energy security and economic activity through manufacturing, installation, and maintenance jobs. Challenges include high upfront costs, supply chain constraints, environmental and fisheries considerations, and the need for robust grid integration and decommissioning planning. As of 2023, global offshore wind capacity exceeded 60 gigawatts, with continued growth anticipated in the coming decades, including expanding use of floating technologies for deeper waters.