UK Energy Companies Install the First Deep Water Wind Farm

Filed in archive Wind on August 7, 2006

Talisman Energy of UK and Scottish and Southern Energy are testing the feasibility of installing wind farms at water depths of 45 meters, very deep compared to current industry standards. These deep water wind mills will be installed at the existing Beatrice oil platform which is 15 miles off the east coast of Scotland. The location is known to have some of the highest wind speeds on the planet.

What does this development lead to? Gordon Edge, the head of offshore wind at the British Wind Energy Association believes that environmental concerns and space constraints will make shallow-water wind mills unviable soon.
Will this be the trend in the future? Industry leaders think so. Shallow waters are normally reserved for marine traffic and commercial activities offer far less wind power potential than deep water areas, which can be identified and developed without affecting sea-vessel traffic or commercial and environmental activities. Read more about this story here.