We see wind farms that dot the horizon both inland and offshore, with vast installations of wind turbines off the coastlines and in wind-heavy locations on land. Wind power continues to play a pivotal role in the transition towards a carbon-free electricity system and how we power our homes, businesses, and everyday life. As the technology for both offshore wind farms projects and an onshore wind project improves, this shift towards renewable energy will continue to rise.
Let’s take a look at the difference between an onshore wind project and an offshore substation, how to construct, power, and maintain each, and how important both types of wind power projects are to the long-term effectiveness of lower carbon emission targets that are set by countries around the world.
Onshore wind energy
An onshore wind project is one where energy is generated by wind turbines that are located on land. Onshore wind farms are often seen in rural and more isolated areas, where there are not as many obstacles in the way that interrupt the natural movement of air. There are over 2,500 operational onshore wind project sites in the UK today, and the number is set to increase in the future.
Benefits of onshore wind project sites
There are a range of benefits to onshore wind farms, including:
- Onshore windfarms have a reduced environmental impact, as the construction of the operation creates lower emissions than other energy sources and the sites can still be farmed.
- They offer a cost-effective solution, being the least expensive form of renewable energy along with solar PV.
- Fast installation and easy maintenance make onshore wind projects desirable.
Offshore wind energy
Offshore wind farms generate electricity from the wind that blows across the sea. There are higher wind speeds at sea which generates greater consistency and efficiency. As there is not the same level of worry about potential interference from human-made objects, as there may be on land, it is deemed a more popular choice than onshore wind farms.
Benefits of offshore wind project sites
There are a range of benefits to offshore wind farms, including:
- Offshore wind project sires are more efficient than onshore wind farms in most cases. Higher wind speeds and consistency means there are fewer wind turbines required to produce the same amount of energy as onshore.
- It offers a reduced environmental impact due to being further away from the population, and restricted access may help to prevent damage to surrounding marine ecosystems.
- Oceans provide more space for wind farms to be built to the required scale and size, allowing for higher numbers of potential wind farms.
The windiest part of the UK is offshore, so there will continue to be an approach to build and maintain larger quantities of wind turbines and wider farms that spring up offshore in the most effective areas. Alongside this, we must not ignore the proliferation of onshore wind project options, as this is also an effective approach to garner more wind power. The technology will continue to improve, and with this comes a need to ensure stability.
Safe and effective access solutions during the building and maintenance of wind farms, both onshore and offshore will go a long way to provide peace of mind for project managers. Ensuring safety of personnel boosts safety standards, improves productivity and efficiency of wind farms, and helps boost the chances of renewable energy as it continues to provide a larger percentage of the UK’s electricity.
