Renewable Energy sees new trajectory with worlds first offshore windmill

Built at a cost of Rs. 1,700 Crore ($263 Million) and having taken over 15 years to complete, the world’s first floating offshore wind farm has begun producing electricity that it delivers to the North Scotland situated grids – making renewable energy targets more achievable.

Jointly built by Norwegian firm Statoil ASA and UAE firm Masdar Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co., the floating wind mill has 5 turbines floating 16 miles off the coast of Peterhead near Aberdeen. The capacity of the windmill setup is 30 megawatts.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was excited about the potential energy saving options, saying that the Hywind project will ensure meeting climate change targets by delivering clean energy to twenty thousand homes.

Although wind turbines have been installed on seabeds since the early 90’s, taking them off shore assists in increasing wind speeds and also reduces noise pollution complaints from those located near the wind turbines. The seabed model was earlier limited to shallow seas, but with the Hywind model, which can be used for water to the depths of 80 meters, it has opened up vast potential for energy saving in newer markets like Japan and the US West Coast.

With the Indian coast line being among the largest, the country will not be far behind in implementing such project.

Source: Bloomberg