Technology

The global boom in offshore wind has accelerated technological developments, such as the size and design of turbines and the advancement of foundation design, that enable us to upscale offshore wind rapidly.

How offshore wind works

Offshore wind turbines generate power out at sea. Electricity or hydrogen is then transported to a major connection point back on land through a series of cables and substations, where electricity is distributed to power homes and businesses. 

There is no single way to build and operate an offshore wind farm and much depends on site-specific site conditions. 

The two primary technologies for offshore wind energy are: fixed foundation turbines, which are secured directly to the seabed, and floating turbines, which are mounted on a floating foundation secured by anchored cables to the seabed.

Illustration by Josh Bauer at NREL