Is offshore wind power reliable?


Offshore wind is a highly reliable energy source. Wind turbines are able to generate clean energy out at sea, even when wind speeds seem low from the shore.

Question:


Is wind power reliable? Do consumers risk power outages if the wind stops blowing?

Fact:


Offshore wind turbines generate power almost all the time – and there will always be a backup option in the grid.


Near constant wind speeds at sea


The wind doesn’t often feel that powerful, does it? But out at sea, and hundreds of feet up in the air, the blades of offshore wind turbines are exposed to much faster and almost constant wind, allowing them to generate electricity even when things seem calm on dry land.

That’s one of the main benefits of situating offshore wind turbines far from the shore – along with drastically minimizing any visual impact.

Is offshore wind power reliable?

But what if there really is no wind?


Even out at sea, wind speeds do vary, and with them the amount of power wind turbines can produce. That’s why energy grids are supplied by a mixture of different sources, meaning that there’s always something producing power.

At Ørsted, we want to build a world that runs entirely on green energy. We’re sure that offshore wind will play a leading role here. But there will still be the flexibility to use other sources, like onshore wind, sustainable biomass, solar power, and large scale battery storage, to help balance the grid and ensure that the lights can always stay on.

There is enough wind for energy production 91% of the time
Average figures based on data from selected Ørsted offshore wind farms in the North Sea
What about Skipjack Wind?

When we say Skipjack Wind will power 350,000 homes, this doesn’t mean that those homes will only receive offshore wind power.


It’s based on how many homes’ annual power consumption is equivalent to the estimated annual power output from the wind farm.


All homes and businesses in the state will continue to be powered by a managed electrical grid fed by multiple power sources, including Skipjack Wind.

Can offshore wind and commercial fishing coexist?
Can offshore wind and commercial fishing coexist?
We work closely with the fishing industry when planning, building and operating our wind farms, ensuring peaceful coexistence
Do wind turbines hurt birds?
Do wind turbines hurt birds?
Of all human activity, wind turbines pose only a tiny danger to birdlife. Far greater is climate change, which threatens many species with extinction.
Can wind turbines be recycled?
Can wind turbines be recycled?
When wind turbines eventually reach the end of their lifespan, we recycle 85 to 95% of what they’re made of.
What is the carbon footprint of offshore wind?
What is the carbon footprint of offshore wind?
Emissions from building turbines are vastly outweighed by those saved through generating clean power.
Do wind farms impact property value?
Do wind farms impact property value?
Studies reveal that offshore wind has little to no influence on property prices.
Do offshore wind farms harm tourism?
Do offshore wind farms harm tourism?
Offshore wind has only recently arrived in the U.S. But from what we know so far, there is no reason to fear that it puts tourists off visiting the ocean.
What is offshore wind power?
What is offshore wind power?

Offshore wind power explained

How we capture the power of the wind at sea to produce clean, reliable electricity