onshore vs. offshore wind turbines

Onshore wind energy represents more than 10% of the electricity consumed in some regions of Denmark, Spain, German or Sweden. It’s growth over the last decade has been spectacular. Most of this electricity is produced by large turbines.

See: Power and size of wind turbines

the Offshore wind farms Growing Importance

Trends point to a growing importance of the offshore wind energy segment. Most of the highest goals on renewable energy production are based on offshore Offshore Wind Turbines wind systems, involving large numbers of mega-turbines and large scale resources and investments.

See:

Landowners and wind systems
Mini wind turbines
Power and size of Wind Turbines
Wind power generators technology

onshore vs Offshore wind turbines

Onshore wind farms are often subject to restrictions and objections: objections based on their negative visual impact or noise...; restrictions associated with obstructions (buildings, mountains, etc.), land-use disputes or limited availability of lands.

These reasons may explain part of the growing importance of offshore systems, but part of the explanation concerns genuine advantages of the offshore turbines, namely higher and more constant wind speeds and, consequently, higher efficiencies.

See: Wind Systems & L egal requirements

Advantages of onshore wind turbines

However, onshore wind systems may also have some advantages over offshore wind farms:

- cheaper foundations;
- cheaper integration with the electrical-grid network;
- cheaper installation and access during the construction phase;
- cheaper and easier access for operation and maintenance…

Besides, small and mini wind turbines (which are necessarily onshore applications) cover a set of needs and goals that offshore wind farms can't.