Block Island Wind Farm was the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States, located 3.8 mi (6.1 km) from Block Island, Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean. The five-turbine, 30 MW project was developed by Deepwater Wind, now known as Ørsted US Offshore Wind.
Aerial view
Close-up of GE–Alstom 150-6MW at Østerild, 2017
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