Will 2021 be the year offshore wind power finally takes off?
An administration ready to tackle climate change may helpâbut itâs the years of planning that could really pay off
January 20, 2021 12:30AM (UTC)
GREAT YARMOUTH, ENGLAND - JULY 19: The sun starts to rise behind Britain s largest offshore wind farm off the Great Yarmouth coastline on July 19, 2006 in Norfolk, England. The 30 turbines cost GBP75million and can generate enough power for 41,000 homes are seen by supporters as a clean and green way to generate electricity and a way of cutting down on harmful green house gas emmissions. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Five lonely wind turbines spin in the state waters off the coast of Rhode Island. They’re the entirety of the Block Island Wind Farm, the United States’ only commercial-scale offshore wind facility currently in service, with an installed capacity of just 30 megawatts.
By contrast, on-land renewables are growing. We’ve installed more than 100 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity and 89 gigawatts of solar.
The Block Island project, completed in 2016, remains a monument to possibility, though. And it’s one that’s about to be realized.
Admittedly, no new commercial-scale offshore wind energy projects will break water this year in the United States. Despite that, the industry is poised for a big year. And we desperately need it, experts say.