Alpha Ventus Offshore Wind Farm
Alpha Ventus Offshore Wind Park is a German offshore wind farm. This is Germany’s first offshore wind farm. It is situated in the North Sea, 45 kilometres (28 mi) north of the island of Borkum.
Aerial view of Alpha Ventus wind park (May 2012)
Construction work at alpha ventus wind park (July 2009)
Alpha Ventus Offshore Wind Park as seen from the Norderney lighthouse
Offshore wind power or offshore wind energy is the generation of electricity through wind farms in bodies of water, usually at sea. There are higher wind speeds offshore than on land, so offshore farms generate more electricity per amount of capacity installed. Offshore wind farms are also less controversial than those on land, as they have less impact on people and the landscape.
Wind turbines and electrical substation of Alpha Ventus Offshore Wind Farm in the North Sea
An illustration of a hypothetical offshore wind farm in 1977
Four offshore wind farms are in the Thames Estuary area: Kentish Flats, Gunfleet Sands, Thanet and London Array. The latter was the largest in the world until September 2018.
Progression of expected wind turbine evolution to deeper water