Offshore Wind Farm Meaning, Locations, Advantages and Disadvantages
The meaning of offshore wind farm is any power plant that is equipped with multiple (wind) turbines for capture and conversion wind energy, in order to generate electricity [2]. This article discusses offshore wind farm meaning, locations, advantages and disadvantages, as outlined below;
-Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms
-Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms
-Importance of Offshore Wind Energy Development using Wind Farms
Offshore Wind Farm Locations
Offshore wind farm locations include; Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, and United States.
The table below shows offshore wind farm locations in the world (operational as of 2023), alongside their names and year(s) of commissioning;
Location | Wind Farm Name | Year of Commissioning |
Belgium | Northern Offshore Wind Farm | 2019 |
Rentel | 2019 | |
Thorntonbank | 2009 | |
China | Binhai North H2 | 2018 |
CGN Shanwei Jiazi I | 2022 | |
CGN Shanwei Jiazi II | 2022 | |
CGN Yangjiang Nanpeng Island | 2020 | |
CTGNE Yangjiang Shapa - phase II | 2021 | |
Datang Jiangsu Binhai | 2019 | |
Dongtai Four | 2019 | |
Huaneng Rudong | 2017 | |
Jiangsu Longyuan Chiang Sand | 2018 | |
Jiangsu Qidong | 2021 | |
Laoting Bodhi Island | 2020 | |
Longyuan Jiangsu Dafeng | 2021 | |
Rudong H2 | 2022 | |
Rudong H5 | 2021 | |
Rudong H6 | 2021 | |
Rudong H10 | 2021 | |
SPIC Jiangsu Dafeng | 2018 | |
SPIC Rudong H4 | 2021 | |
SPIC Rudong H7 | 2021 | |
Yuedian Yangjiang Shapa | 2022 | |
Zhejiang Jiaxing 2 | 2021 | |
Zhanjiang Xuwen-South | 2022 | |
Denmark | Anholt | 2013 |
Horns Rev 3 | 2019 | |
Kriegers Flak | 2021 | |
Vindeby | 1991 | |
France | Saint-Nazaire | 2022 |
Amrumbank West | 2015 | |
Germany | Arkona | 2019 |
BARD Offshore 1 | 2013 | |
Borkum Riffgrund 1 | 2015 | |
Borkum Riffgrund 2 | 2019 | |
Global Tech I | 2015 | |
Gode Wind (phases 1 and 2) | 2017 | |
Hohe See | 2019 | |
Merkur | 2019 | |
Nordsee One | 2017 | |
Veja Mate | 2017 | |
Wikinger | 2018 | |
Netherlands | Borssele 1&2 | 2020 |
Borssele 3&4 | 2021 | |
Gemini Wind Farm | 2017 | |
Windpark Fryslân | 2021 | |
Norway | Hywind | 2009 |
Portugal | WindFloat 1 | 2011 |
Sweden | Yttre Stengrund | 2001 |
United Kingdom | Beatrice | 2019 |
Dudgeon | 2017 | |
East Anglia ONE | 2020 | |
Galloper | 2018 | |
Greater Gabbard | 2012 | |
Gwynt y Môr | 2015 | |
Hornsea Project One | 2019 | |
Hornsea Project Two | 2022 | |
Hywind Scotland | 2017 | |
London Array | 2013 | |
Moray East | 2022 | |
Race Bank | 2018 | |
Rampion | 2018 | |
Sheringham Shoal | 2012 | |
Thanet | 2010 | |
Triton Knoll | 2021 | |
Walney Extension | 2018 | |
West of Duddon Sands | 2014 | |
United States | Block Island Wind | 2016 |
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind | 2020 |
The largest wind farm in the world as of 2023 is Hornsea Project Two (or Hornsea 2) wind farm, located in the United Kingdom, with a capacity of approximately 1.39 GW.

Advantages of Offshore Wind Farms
Advantages of offshore wind farms are;
1). Access to large amount of wind energy
2). Minimal environmental impact
3). May be combined with other renewable energy systems like wave converters
4). Relatively simple concept
5). Low maintenance requirement
6). Job creation
Disadvantages of Offshore Wind Farms
Disadvantages of offshore wind farms are;
1). High capital cost
2). Susceptibility to ocean wave damage
3). Effect on marine ecosystems
4). Higher complexity than land-based wind farms
5). More maintenance required than land-based wind farms
Importance of Offshore Wind Energy Development using Wind Farms
The importance of offshore wind energy development is based on its role and prospect toward sustainable development in social, environmental and economic areas [1].
Social importance of offshore wind energy development can be traced to its positive potential toward the quality of life of people in society, through facilitation of innovation, supply of energy, and job creation among others.
Environmental importance of offshore wind energy has to do with its position as a form of renewable and clean energy, so that it is capable of playing a role in the mitigation of unfavorable environmental impacts of electricity generation and energy harnessing activities.
Economic importance of offshore wind energy is based on its ability to support fossil fuels as an energy resource for economic activities, facilitate energy transition, green economy development, decarbonization of the economy, and sustainability of production.
Conclusion
Offshore wind farm means the assemblage of multiple wind turbines to form a single renewable energy system for capturing wind energy in ocean terrains.
Locations of offshore wind farms in the world are; Belgium, China, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States.
Advantages of offshore wind farms are; access to surplus wind energy, minimal environmental impact, flexibility, simplicity, and role in job creation.
Disadvantages or negative effects of offshore wind farms are; high capital cost, wave damage susceptibility, effect on marine ecosystem and relative complexity.
The importance of offshore wind energy development using wind farms, can be evaluated from the viewpoint of its alignment with many of the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable development.
References
1). Keivanpour, S.; Ramudin, A.; Kadi, D. A. (2017). "The sustainable worldwide offshore wind energy potential: A systematic review." Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy 9(6):065902. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5009948. (Accessed 6 February 2023).
2). Nikitas, G.; Bhattacharya, S.; Vimalan, N. (2019). "Chapter 16: Wind Energy: in the book Future Energy (3rd Edition): Improved, Sustainable and Clean Options for Our Planet." Future Energy (3rd Edition): Improved, Sustainable and Clean Options for Our Planet. Elsevier. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-102886-5.00016-5. (Accessed 5 February 2023).