Megawatt sized wind turbines, cheaper foundations and new knowledge about offshore wind conditions is improving the economics of offshore wind power.

While wind energy is already economic in good onshore locations, wind energy is about to cross another frontier: The economic frontier set by shorelines. Researchers and developers are about to challenge conventional wisdom on electricity generating technologies: Offshore wind energy is rapidly becoming competitive with other power generating technologies.

According to The Danish Governments' Action Plan for Energy, Energy 21 (see the Links page), 4,000 MW of offshore wind power should be installed before year 2030. Onshore the target was 1,500 MW. All together Denmark would then be able to cover more than 50 per cent of the total electricity consumption by wind energy. In 2003, the installation in Denmark amounted to approx. 2,600 onshore and just under 400 MW offshore.

A total of 5,500 MW of wind power in the Danish electricity system means that the wind turbines periodically will cover more than 100 per cent of Danish electricity demand. Therefore, the future Danish offshore power plants should be an integrated part of the Scandinavian electricity system, which is based on huge amounts on hydro power.

With a total investment of some 48 billion DKK (= 7 billion USD) for the 4,000 MW offshore capacity the Danish action plan will be the world's largest investment in wind power ever.

I 1998, the Danish utility companies received an executive order from the Danish Government to build 750 MW offshore wind power, divided between five demonstration wind farms. The two first of the large demonstration farms were Horns Rev with 160 MW (2002) and Nysted with 158 MW (2003). In 2002, the executive order was altered to only these two wind farms. The three remaining wind farms will be put out to tender (expected at the end of 2003).

A report drafted by the Danish power companies for the Minister of Environment and Energy identifies four main areas in Danish sea territory suitable for wind power with a potential of 8,000 MW. The philosophy behind the selected areas is simple: For environmental reasons the Committee has concentrated the capacity in few and remote areas with water depths between 5 and 11 metres.

The areas have been selected to avoid national park areas, shipping routes, microwave links, military areas, etc. The distance from coastal areas varies from 7 to 40 km. This also minimises the visual impact onshore.

The most recent research into foundations indicates that it may be economic to install offshore turbines even at 15 metres water depth. This mean that the offshore potential is some 16,000 MW in the selected areas in the Danish Waters.