Wind energy harnesses the power of the wind by means of wind turbines to generate electricity. Worldwide, it is one of the most established and fastest-growing sources of renewable energy, with global installed capacity now well in excess of 1,000 GW, a significant proportion of which is produced in Europe. The forecasts are for significant global and regional growth in wind power, with worldwide installed capacity potentially exceeding 2,500 GW by 2030.
Wind is a clean and inexhaustible resource. Using it to generate electricity reduces fossil-fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions, thus helping to meet international climate targets.
Wind power mainly takes one of two forms — onshore or offshore— each with its own specific characteristics and challenges.
Onshore wind facilities are installed on land, usually in areas with good wind resources. They are simpler to connect to the grid, and the costs are lower than for offshore. As a result, this is a mature and competitive technology. Advantages include lower logistical complexity and reduced cost, although there are challenges such as visual impact and availability of land in densely populated areas.
Offshore wind is located at sea, where the wind is stronger and more constant. There are two main technologies: fixed offshore, with wind turbines attached to the seabed in shallow waters (up to 50 metres), and floating offshore, which uses semi-submersible platforms in deep waters. The development of floating offshore wind turbines is key to harnessing wind from areas with extensive wind resources and no restrictions on space — as shown by the demonstration projects installed at the BiMEP trialling site in Armintza. However, offshore wind faces its own significant challenges: high cost, the need to adapt port infrastructures for larger wind turbines and the complex regulations involved in establishing trial sites.
The two technologies are both essential for the energy transition. Onshore wind power can offer large volumes of energy in a short space of time, while offshore wind power is opening up new opportunities in regions with high potential and available space.
