The United Kingdom is also betting on floating wind farms

New installed capacity from floating wind farms in Europe could reach 2 000 MW by 2030, with almost 1 500 MW expected to come from the United Kingdom. The country has taken a decisive step towards dominating this relatively young sector in the latest round of auctions for operational support, awarding a Contract for Difference (CfD) to the planned largest floating wind farm in Europe.

Total installed capacity from floating wind farms in Europe is just 208 MW, according to the international news site Montel. This is therefore a technology still waiting for more substantial development to take off.

The main reason these wind farms are being installed and continue to be developed is simple: with no obstacles in the way, wind speeds and flows farther out to sea are higher and more consistent than on land.

Locating them farther from shore also minimises their visual impact, which is often a source of opposition among local residents. Most manufacturing and assembly work is also carried out in port, after which the wind farm is towed to its designated location. This avoids the need for complex offshore installation of support structures using specialised installation vessels. Only harbour tugs are needed to tow the floating platforms to their designated location, where they are secured to mooring points.

"Floating wind farms are a relatively young sector, but 2 000 MW of new capacity could be built by 2030, and we expect 1 471 MW of that to be in the United Kingdom," the WindEurope association said.

Last week, the UK government awarded a Contract for Difference for the planned Green Volt floating wind farm, which is set to include up to 35 floating wind turbines with total installed capacity of 560 MW. The CfD was awarded for 400 MW of installed capacity at a strike price of 139,93 pounds per megawatt-hour. The wind farm is due to begin operating in 2029.

Green Volt said the wind farm under construction would supply electricity primarily to offshore oil and gas platforms. It will also be connected to the UK electricity grid.