Power capacity from renewable sources is certainly and fervently pacing up (already overtaking nuclear power capacity), with wind power especially going through an unprecedented propitious phase. Statistically, the capacity for wind power was at a paltry 17.4 GW in 2000, but in the past ten years it has catapulted to 194.4 GW. And now offering 2.5 percent of worldwide electricity (with 430 TWh), this sustainable field with high potential is all set to notch up another green level with installations of mega offshore wind farm projects, all throughout the world.
London Array Offshore Wind Farm:
The London Array is a planned offshore wind farm that is currently under construction in the outer Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom. With 1,000 megawatt (MW) capacity and covering around 230 sq km, it is expected to become the world’s largest offshore wind farm. There was some unfortunate turn of events in the last month, as some of the project backers asked for a bailout, which almost threatened to postpone the ambitious project. But now, according to Reuters,”chief executive of E.ON Climate and Renewables Frank Mastiaux said that the project’s backers (which include Dong Energy and Masdar) would be investing €2.2 billion ($2.98 billion) in the next phase of the project.”
Fate of First US Offshore Wind Farm:
The eternal clash associated with ‘space integration’ is still reverberating through the fate of the first US Offshore Wind Farm. The grand project, which is being developed by Energy Management Inc, calls for 130 wind turbine generators, each with a maximum blade height of 440 feet, to be arranged in a grid pattern several miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. But many of the Cape Cod residents, vacationers and dwellers, including the Indian tribes to fishermen to even the Kennedy family, have voiced their opposition to this project, on the grounds that it hampers the good views from the region’s historical sites. On the other hand, six governors of east coast states are flexing their political muscles for the project’s approval.
One of the largest offshore wind farms in Europe, to be built in Denmark:
Though not exactly in the planning phase (already built), this $1 billion mega project conceivedby Danish utility company Dong Energy is one of the largest offshore wind farms in Europe. Named as the Horns Rev 2, with 91 huge turbines, it can power up to 200,000 homes. More importantly, it does meticulously adhere to the goal set by European Union to achieve 20 percent of Europe’s power from renewable sources by 2020.
960 MW Offshore Wind Farm Planned for Germany:
If you thought that the plans for the above Danish wind farm are big, then think twice, as the 960 MW German ‘Innogy Nordsee 1’ project will cover an area of sea about 150 square kilometers in size, and will incur a humongous budget of €2.8 billion ($3.7 billion). To be located 40 kilometers north of the island of Juist, the fastidiously conceived proposal is expected to be completed by 2015.
South Korea offshore wind power farm:
A collaborative effort from two giants – Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering can produce an awe-inspiring 9.2 trillion won (8.2 billion dollars) offshore wind farm. With 500 wind turbines, the total capacity is determined to be around 2,500 MW, which, in effect, can easily overtake all of the ongoing projects in Europe and US. To be built near the southwestern counties of Buan and Yeonggwang, the wind farm is scheduled to be ready by 2019.
700 Megawatt Offshore Wind Farm Plan close to New York:
This one is still in the preliminary study phase, as the Long Island Power Authority and Con Edison have taken the initiative to jointly examine the scope of developing up to 700 MW of wind power at a location “at least 13 miles off the Rockaway Peninsula”. But the problem lies with the fact that even if the proposal is possible, the transmission system of electricity from the wind power would require a $415 million overhaul. The initial phase of the project can have a capacity of up to 350 MW, which in effect can power around 250,000 homes.
Google to power nearly 2 million homes with clean electricity:
Yes, this is the Google we all know. And now, after their dabbling with biodegradable letters and innovative EV stations, they are all set make their ambitiously green foray into the thriving wind power market. Their grand plan entails the building of an enormous submarine electric power cable (initially stretching 563 km) project along United States Atlantic coast along with Trans-Elect. In effect, this would create a ‘wind power zone’ from Virginia to New Jersey. The project will link various power plants to transmit 6,000 megawatts of clean electricity that could power up to a fantastic figure of 1.9 million homes (which equates to catering around 7.2 million people).
