The United States has given final approval for what will be the largest offshore wind power project in the country’s history. The “Vineyard Wind” project will see as much as 84 wind turbines built 12 miles off the coast of Massachusetts. When completed, the project is expected to provide renewable energy for 400,000 homes and businesses, and supply over 2% of the energy needed to meet the country’s goal of generating 30 gigawatts from offshore wind by 2030.

The 800-megawatt project will be only the third offshore wind project to be built by the United States, after the 30-megawatt project at Block Island Wind, and a minor test project off the coast of Virginia. The USA’s lack of experience in offshore wind construction means there is currently a shortfall in infrastructure to produce turbines and blades, and the transport infrastructure needed to relocate them to the offshore sites. The Vineyard Wind project could serve as a catalyst for the development of this infrastructure and boost the USA’s steel and shipbuilding sectors.

Construction on the Vineyard Wind project is expected to begin following a final review of facility design reports, and a fabrication and installation report. The United States Department of the Interior is also currently conducting an environmental review of two other offshore wind projects.

Meanwhile, South Korea has announced plans to build the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm. The $32 billion, 6 gigawatt project will form part of the country’s drive to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and is expected to power 5.7 million homes. The project will be built in the same location as the country’s first offshore natural gas field, which is expected to be decommissioned next year.

The concept of a floating wind farm departs from the conventional approach to offshore wind farm construction, which involves fixing the turbines to the seabed in shallow depths of approx. 50 meters (160 feet). A floating system removes the need for shallow water conditions, thus radically increasing the oceanic area capable of supporting wind farms. In addition to their recent announcement of the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm, South Korea is also planning on building the world’s largest foundation-fixed offshore wind farm, a $56 billion project generating 8.2 gigawatts of power – the equivalent of six nuclear reactors.