Floating Wind

A floating wind turbine is mounted on a structure that floats on the water, similar to that seen with oil rigs. This innovative design introduces new possibilities, enabling electricity generation in previously inaccessible locations where fixed-foundation turbines were impractical or not possible.

The wind turbines are attached to floating structures, stabilized through a combination of anchors, mooring, and positioning mechanisms working together. The electricity generated by wind turbines located offshore is sent back to the land via a network of underwater cables.

Floating wind farms have the potential to expand the areas suitable for offshore wind energy production, particularly in countries with limited shallow waters but otherwise ideal conditions for harnessing wind energy. By avoiding permanent seabed foundations, they reduce disruption to marine ecosystems.

The floating wind industry is still in its early stages compared to fixed-bottom offshore wind. Hywind Tampen, the world's largest floating wind farm, supplies electricity to Equinor's oil and gas fields in the Norwegian North Sea. Its 11 wind turbines have a total capacity of 88 MW, making up nearly half of the world's capacity.