Global Growth in Offshore Wind Turbine Technology

Abstract Due to the commissioning of floating wind units, the latest technological developments, significant growth, and improvements in turbines, developments in offshore wind power capacity are estimated to increase faster than in the last two decades. The total installed offshore wind power capacity, which is currently 35 GW, is predicted to be approximately 382 GW by 2030 and approximately 2,002 GW by 2050. For this reason, attempts are proposed to lower levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) for offshore wind power generation more than for other energy sources. In this study firstly, the global growth in the nominal capacity and size of offshore wind turbines over the last twenty years is examined. Then, the effects of this increase in nominal capacity and size on the LOCE, total installation cost (TIC), and turbine capacity factor are investigated. In parallel with this development, the changes in distance to shore and water depth for installation offshore wind power plants are reviewed according to the years. In addition, the effects of this global growth on wind farm capacity, turbine-specific power capacity, number of turbines per GW, and area needed per GW are investigated and discussed in detail.