What’s the difference between Offshore wind vs onshore wind? Offshore wind farms are located in bodies of water and benefit from stronger, more consistent winds, whereas onshore wind farms are situated on land and are generally easier and cheaper to construct and maintain.

According to Blackridge's Global Wind Turbine Market Outlook, 2024-2030 global wind growth forecast (1210GW) upwards by 10%. This is due to the establishment of national industrial policies and offshore wind market growth in recent years.

In 2023, global wind power capacity surpassed 1 TW and adding next 1 TW is expected in just 7 years. Onshore wind power is experiencing a remarkable 54% year-over-year growth by adding 106 GW. Meanwhile, offshore wind saw a 24% increase, adding 10.8 GW, totaling 75.2 GW globally.

Wind energy is an important powerhouse for a sustainable future. However, not all wind farms are created equal. Understanding the difference between onshore and offshore wind farms is necessary, as each offers unique advantages and disadvantages. 

Onshore Wind Farm

In simple terms, onshore wind energy can be defined as wind energy harnessed by installing wind turbines in terrestrial locations. The process consists of converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy of wind by the rotational motion of rotor blades. This energy conversion produces renewable wind electricity for residential, commercial, and industrial use.

Advantages of onshore wind farms

Now, let's delve into the notable advantages that make onshore wind farms a compelling choice for clean energy generation:

• Lower upfront costs: Onshore wind farms require simpler infrastructure, making them more cost-effective for developers.
• Faster installation and maintenance: Onshore projects can be built and maintained more quickly due to easier access and ground-based location.
• Established technology: Onshore wind turbine technology is advanced, reducing the need for specialized skills and equipment.
• Potential for community ownership: Local communities can develop and manage onshore wind farms, fostering economic benefits and community involvement.
• Flexible scale and land use: Onshore wind farms can be built in various sizes and locations, accommodating different energy needs and land availability.

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Disadvantages of onshore wind farms

While onshore wind farms offer numerous advantages, they also have certain drawbacks. Let's explore critical disadvantages to consider:

• Visual Impact: Onshore wind turbines can be visually imposing, potentially disrupting an area's natural landscape and aesthetics.
• Potential Noise Concerns: Onshore turbines generate noise as they rotate, with a possibility of low-frequency noise disturbing nearby residents.
• Environmental impact: Bird and bat collisions with onshore turbine blades pose environmental concerns, requiring careful planning and mitigation strategies.
• Land-Use Considerations: Onshore farms require significant land area, potentially competing with agriculture, recreation, or other land uses.
• Intermittency: Wind is a variable resource, leading to inconsistent power generation from onshore wind farms and necessitating backup power sources for reliability.

Read: Top Ten Wind Farms in the World

Offshore Wind Farm

Offshore wind farms harness wind power by installing wind turbines in ocean waters. Unlike onshore wind farms located on land, offshore farms are positioned offshore, often in coastal areas or further out to sea. These wind turbines are typically anchored to the seabed and utilize the strong and consistent winds found over water to generate electricity.

Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore wind farms offer several distinct advantages:

• Stronger and Steadier Winds: Offshore locations like North Sea experience stronger and steadier offshore wind speeds, leading to higher energy efficiency and power production.
• More Giant Turbines: Deeper water depths and less restrictive space allow larger offshore wind turbines to capture more wind and generate more electricity.
• Reduced Visual Impact: Offshore wind farms are located further from populated areas, minimizing visual impact on land and preserving aesthetics.
• Potential for Lower Lifetime Costs: Despite higher upfront costs, higher efficiency, and larger offshore wind turbines can result in lower lifetime energy production costs.

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Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms

Offshore wind farms face certain drawbacks that can hinder their wider adoption. These are the disadvantages to consider:

• Higher Upfront Costs: Building in the ocean environment increases initial investment costs compared to onshore wind farms.
• Technical Challenges: Specialized equipment and expertise are required for construction, maintenance, and repairs in harsh wave conditions.
• Potential Impact on Marine Life: Offshore turbines can disrupt marine habitats and create noise pollution, requiring careful environmental assessment and mitigation.
• Limited Grid Capacity: Connecting to the electricity grid can be challenging, necessitating upgrades in regions with limited infrastructure.

Read: Top 7 Upcoming Floating Offshore Wind Projects In the World

Cost Comparison Between Onshore vs Offshore Wind Energy 

Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

The cost of wind energy has dropped dramatically in the past decade. Onshore wind LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy) went from USD 0.107/kWh to USD 0.033/kWh, while offshore wind went from USD 0.197/kWh to USD 0.081/kWh. Despite the higher initial cost, offshore wind farms have a higher average utilization rate (42% vs 37-38%), making them potentially more productive.

Difference between Onshore and Offshore Wind

Onshore and Offshore Wind Global Trends

Onshore and offshore wind are having a positive impact on reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Many countries and stakeholders are keen to invest in wind energy. Let's look at the global trend of the wind energy market in 2024.

Onshore Wind

With a global surge in 2023, Onshore wind farms witnessed a record-shattering 106 GW of new wind capacity added to the grid, representing a remarkable 54% year-over-year growth. This marks the first time annual installations surpassed the 100 GW milestone. China and the US remain dominant players in the onshore wind market, followed closely by Brazil, Germany, and India. 

These top five markets contributed 82% of all new installations globally, highlighting a concentrated growth pattern. While China reached 69 GW of added capacity, the US experienced a dip, installing only 6.4 GW – its lowest level since 2014. However, India saw a significant upswing, with a 56% increase in new installations compared to 2022. This trend suggests a promising future for onshore wind as a critical component of the world's energy mix.

Offshore Wind

The year 2022 marked the second-highest year for offshore wind projects, pushing total capacity to 64.3 GW. This momentum is expected to continue in offshore projects. Also, global wind energy council forecasts predicting 380 GW of additional capacity added over the next decade. The offshore wind energy in Asia-Pacific region is set to lead this charge, with nearly half of the projected growth. 

Floating turbines are expected to contribute a significant 6% to the overall offshore wind market share. The UK added up to 4.5 gigawatts of floating offshore wind capacity, bringing significant renewable energy closer to the national grid.

This rapid expansion promises significant environmental benefits, with estimates suggesting new wind farms in the APAC region could avoid a massive 650 million tonnes of CO2 annually. However, permitting and infrastructure development bottlenecks could hinder progress outside of China. Increased investment and international cooperation will be essential to overcome these hurdles and ensure the continued success of offshore wind power globally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both onshore and offshore wind energy present compelling solutions for sustainable wind electricity generation, each with advantages and challenges. The global trend showcases a significant expansion in both sectors, with onshore wind experiencing record-breaking growth and offshore wind ready for substantial development, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. As we navigate towards a cleaner energy future, strategic investments, technological advancements, and international cooperation will be crucial in harnessing the full potential of wind power to mitigate climate change and ensure energy security.

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