Wind Energy Construction and Operation Experiences From North European Offshore Wind Farms
Authors: Bonefeld Jens Wittrock 
Published: October 2008

The construction of offshore wind farms in Northern Europe commenced in the early nineties. In the beginning, only minor test offshore wind farms were built, but from 2002 and onwards, large-scale offshore wind farms have been erected. Construction and operation experiences from these wind farms are now being collected, and this paper discusses construction and operation experiences obtained from selected offshore wind farms. Differences and similarities between the wind industry and the oil and gas industry are discussed with a view to raising the awareness of this new and growing industry among market players in the oil and gas industry.

Current status and plans in Europe [1]

In the European Union (EU) the development of wind power is very impressive. Over the past five years, 30% of all newly installed electricity generating capacity has been wind power. The installed capacity is now 40.5 GW, and the generated power is enough to supply 21 million households. However, wind power still only covers 2.8% of the total European electricity demand.

Only 680 MW of the above-mentioned 40.5 GW capacity are installed off shore. Recent projections of the future development suggest that by 2030 the installed capacity may reach 300 GW of which 150 GW are expected to be installed off shore. Whether the targets for offshore wind power will be met depends crucially on technology development, grid infrastructure and the existence of political incentives to encourage investments.

A renewables target of at least 20% of EU energy by 2020 will be a significant driving force behind this development. It will only be possible to meet this target with a strong contribution from wind power. Another driving force behind the wind power development is the increase in fossil fuel prices.

Current status and plans in Denmark [2]

Denmark has been and is still a frontrunner in the development of on- and offshore wind energy. Only in Denmark, Spain, Germany and Ireland does wind power cover more than 5% of the electricity demand. In Denmark, the actual figure is close to 20%.

The installed capacity is 3100 MW of which 420 MW are located off shore (two large-scale wind farms contribute 325 MW). Recent wind farm developments have been located off shore, and future plans aim to expand offshore wind power event further. Currently, investment decisions to erect two offshore wind farms of 200 MW each are in the pipeline.

Challenges going off shore

The main reasons for going off shore are access to large energy resources and potentially less complicated planning processes. Although the wind resources are vast, the investment in foundations and electrical infrastructure (cables and substations) are dramatically higher than for onshore wind farms, and operation costs increase as well. At first glance, the planning process, including the environmental statements, seems to be easier off shore, but experience shows that there are many stakeholders in the offshore areas, who make the offshore process as difficult as the onshore process.