Wind Titans: 5 Nations at the Helm of the Floating Offshore Wind Revolution

Figure 1: Image showing floating offshore windmill

In a race towards a sustainable energy future, several countries are accelerating the expansion of floating offshore wind energy solutions. Unlike traditional onshore wind farms, floating offshore wind involves positioning wind power turbines in deeper waters. This is where you mount a turbine on a buoyant substructure anchored to the seabed with chains. So, these turbines are deep in seas of more than 300 meters, allowing for wind production in deeper waters. This article will take you through a list of countries leading the floating offshore wind revolution. You will see how the country intends to achieve the carbon neutrality goal with these projects and the key milestones they have achieved.

South Korea

South Korea is one of the crucial leaders in the floating wind power revolution. Presently, more projects within the floating wind power domain are coming into view in this East Asian country. In their plan, South Korea is looking to provide clean energy to millions of people and reduce carbon emissions. The large-scale floating wind is seen as the best way to achieve this goal. And, with their proximity to deep waters, you can bet on them to reach this goal.

One of its standout projects is the Ulsan Floating Offshore Wind Farm. With the capacity to produce 6 GW, the project will be one of the largest floating offshore wind farms once it’s completed in 2028. 

When it set out its renewable energy goal, South Korea hoped to generate 12 GW from offshore wind by 2030. This Ulsan project, puts the country right on track towards achieving this hard-driving goal. 

United States

Away from East Asia, the West Coast of the United States is a prime location for the floating offshore wind revolution. The country has been mounting turbines on floating, semi-suspended foundations to harness wind energy.

One project that America has invested in is the Castle Wind Project. With plenty of federal support in funding, this project off the coast of California will be completed by 2026. By that time, about 300,000 households in the country will have access to clean energy. 

Another project in the US is the Humboldt Bay offshore, also in California. The government is using these projects to deploy floating wind turbines with the hope of reducing the cost of floating wind energy by 70% by 2035.

United Kingdom

The UK is definitely leading the charge in Europe for the floating offshore wind revolution. So far, the country has installed over 40 GW of fixed-bottom offshore wind, more than any other country on the continent.

Yet, they are not done. The country plans to achieve a net zero goal by 2050, so it turned to floating offshore wind projects. With deeper coastal waters, it has installed several projects towards this goal. These projects also enjoy government backing.

ScotWind, a floating wind project completed in 2022, is a major part of their offshore wind revolution. They are also working on the White Cross Floating Wind Farm in the Celtic Sea, with plans to start construction in 2025. You can also find the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of Scotland. From the details, it is one of the many projects the country is using to achieve 5 GW of production by 2030. Most people are confident the country will achieve these renewable energy goals within the estimated time.

Japan

Japan is another country in Asia with big plans to topple the floating offshore wind hierarchy. Like most countries mentioned here, Japan enjoys an extensive coastline and strong wind sources, meaning it can install large floating offshore wind projects. Also, Japan’s deep coastal waters make it possible to install floating wind turbines.

Japan’s renewable energy goal has been clear: being a carbon-neutral country by 2050. So, their focus on producing offshore wind energy and becoming the best will only hasten the process. This, alongside government backing, makes it possible to achieve the ambitious goal. For instance, the country recently passed a bill to create large-scale projects in the sea area as part of the process to accelerate offshore wind expansion.

We found different offshore floating wind projects in Japan. The major one is the Goto Floating Wind farm, a 524 MW offshore wind power project. The country is looking to commission this project in 2026 and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

France

Completing the list is France, whose goal has been and remains to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Like many nations, France has many floating offshore wind projects aiming to expand its capabilities.

In the Mediterranean Sea, France is spearheading a project dubbed the EolMed Floating Wind Farm. This government-sponsored project intends to produce 30 MW of wind power is expected to enter into commercial operation by 2025.

There is also the Pennavel project on Brittany’s coast in France. Still in the planning phase, this project will produce 250 MW once completed. The country’s completion date is 2031, making it the first commercial floating offshore wind farm project.

Government investment in floating wind technology is part of its broader commitment to achieving carbon neutrality. 

Bottom Line

We have seen the ambitious efforts of different countries towards achieving renewable energy goals. Going the offshore floating wind route for these countries unlocks new heights in realizing these zealous renewable energy goals. So, each of these countries is working hand in hand with their governments and the private sector to ensure they are on the leading edge of diversifying their energy supplies to meet their growing power demands, reducing reliance on fossil fuels that have a grave impact on climate change, and working towards realizing carbon neutrality.