Offshore wind power - clean energy from the open sea

Offshore wind captures the strength of sea winds to power a cleaner world

Offshore wind power – simply explained

Offshore wind power uses strong, steady sea winds to generate clean electricity — and plays a vital role in the global energy transition, especially for countries with limited land space.

Large wind turbines are installed either on fixed foundations anchored to the seabed or on floating platforms. Wind turns the rotor blades, and a generator converts that motion into electrical energy, which is transmitted to the mainland via submarine cables.

At sea, the wind blows more consistently and with greater force than on land — enabling high energy yields, often several megawatts per turbine, and a stable power supply. Offshore wind farms are typically built several kilometers from the coast to avoid shipping lanes and protect sensitive coastal environments.

Advantages of offshore wind power

Offshore wind farms offer several key advantages over their onshore counterparts — largely thanks to their location at sea:

Stronger, steadier winds lead to high and reliable electricity output
Large-scale deployment is possible, far from residential areas
No land-use conflicts with agriculture or infrastructure
Low visual and noise impact, boosting public acceptance
Larger turbines can be installed, generating more power per unit
Supports urban energy supply, especially in space-constrained regions
Massive global potential, especially for coastal countries with grid access

Offshore wind is a powerful addition to the renewable energy mix — particularly for densely populated nations with limited land but strong coastal access.

Challenges of offshore wind energy

Despite its enormous potential, offshore wind energy comes with significant challenges. Building and operating turbines at sea is technically complex and capital-intensive — especially in deep waters, where stable foundations are crucial.

Maintenance and repairs depend heavily on weather conditions and involve complex logistics. Reliable power supply also requires strong grid connections to the mainland, along with storage and balancing systems to manage fluctuations.

Environmental impacts on marine ecosystems and nearby shipping routes also need to be carefully managed. These factors, combined with complex permitting and regulatory frameworks, make planning and approval significantly more demanding than for onshore systems.

How kite systems complements offshore wind power

Kite technologies enhances offshore wind with a visionary, lightweight technology designed to unlock new possibilities at sea. Our kite-based systems serve as a flexible complement to traditional offshore wind farms — particularly in areas that demand new approaches, such as deep waters or locations with limited logistics. Unlike conventional turbines, SkySails systems require only minimal anchoring, reducing the need for heavy materials and simplifying transport and installation.

Looking ahead, this technology aims to deliver clean, kite-powered energy offshore — especially in regions where traditional offshore solutions face technical or economic barriers. In the future, high-altitude wind could play a key role in powering the energy transition far out at sea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What role can airborne wind energy play in the global energy transition?

Airborne wind energy complements existing renewables and brings clean power to places previously out of reach – remote, off-grid and long-term even deep-sea offshore. SkySails systems unlock an untapped resource: strong, consistent winds at high altitudes. Scalable, mobile, and flexible, they contribute to decarbonization, energy access, and energy security — helping accelerate the shift to a global net-zero future. Discover the systems.

Q2: How modular and offshore-compatible are airborne wind energy systems?

Airborne wind energy systems offer a high degree of modularity and are particularly well-suited for offshore deployment. Thanks to up to 90% less material use compared to conventional technologies, they allow for significantly smaller floating platforms and reduce overall system weight. This translates into lower material costs, simplified logistics, and faster deployment at sea. Maintenance operations are also safer and more efficient: all servicing is done at platform level, with no need for technicians to climb tall structures — a major advantage for offshore environments.

Q3: How scalable are airborne wind energy systems for large-scale offshore wind farms?

Airborne wind energy systems are inherently modular and designed for scalable deployment. Multiple units can be installed side-by-side in floating offshore wind farms, where traditional turbines are often cost-prohibitive and require massive infrastructure. The lightweight and flexible design enables densified layouts with reduced spacing and lower environmental impact. This makes AWE systems a powerful addition to large-scale renewable strategies — offering fast, material-efficient installation and high adaptability. As the technology matures, it will further support the expansion of cost-effective, decentralized offshore energy generation.