Innovation & Technology Innovation & Technology

UK Sails Ahead with Offshore Wind Power

The UK, Denmark and Germany are leading the clean energy transformation in Europe. Since 1990, the UK has reduced its CO2 emissions by 25 percent, while other wealthy countries such as the US and Norway have increased their emissions of greenhouse gases. World's biggest fleet of offshore wind turbines One of the reasons for the UK’s leading role in the clean energy transformation lies off of its coasts, where enormous offshore wind farms convert high-speed ocean winds into sustainable energy. And the development of offshore wind power has only just begun.

By Sustainable Brands | Published 9 years ago | About a 3 minute read

The UK, Denmark and Germany are leading the clean energy transformation in Europe. Since 1990, the UK has reduced its CO2 emissions by 25 percent, while other wealthy countries such as the US and Norway have increased their emissions of greenhouse gases.

World's biggest fleet of offshore wind turbines

One of the reasons for the UK’s leading role in the clean energy transformation lies off of its coasts, where enormous offshore wind farms convert high-speed ocean winds into sustainable energy. And the development of offshore wind power has only just begun.

Nearly one out of every five British pounds spent on the UK's infrastructure goes to renewable energy, led by offshore wind power. The UK has more than 10GW of offshore wind power in operation, under construction or in planning. With all the projects in operation in 2020, 10 percent of the electricity supplied to UK power outlets will come from clean offshore wind power.

British adventure with Danish key player

Brent Cheshire, Chairman of DONG Energy UK, says: "DONG Energy's decision to invest in the development of the four new offshore wind farms clearly shows that we see the UK as one of our most important markets."

One of DONG Energy's planned wind farms is Hornsea Project One, which will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world once completed in 2017. This wind farm alone will be the size of Malta and provide enough power for one million UK homes – and more wind farms are yet to come in the same area. If the Hornsea project’s remaining three phases are completed, offshore wind farms will cover an area twice the size of Greater London.

DONG Energy is building the world's largest offshore wind farm in British waters.

Offshore wind turbines are more expensive to build than onshore wind turbines. However, offshore wind power has a number of advantages - it is smoother and on average 40 percent more powerful than onshore wind, which means offshore wind turbines generate far more electricity.