It depends on the number and capacity of turbines. The Saint-Brieuc wind farm in France, for example, features 62 × 8 MW turbines producing 1,820 GWh per year, enough to supply clean electricity to up to 835,000 people.

Offshore turbines are significantly larger than onshore models, benefiting from fewer visual and environmental constraints. Next-generation offshore turbines reach 15 MW with rotor diameters of 240 meters and blades over 110 meters long. The largest onshore turbines top out around 5–6 MW. Because sea winds are stronger and more consistent, offshore turbines also produce roughly twice the energy per unit of installed capacity.

Electricity generated by offshore turbines flows through inter-array cables to an offshore substation, then travels via high-voltage subsea export cables to an onshore grid connection point. For longer distances, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are increasingly used to reduce transmission losses. Grid interconnections and electricity storage help manage the intermittency of wind generation.

Floating offshore wind uses buoyant platforms moored to the seabed rather than fixed foundations, enabling installation in waters deeper than 60–70 meters where fixed-bottom technology becomes impractical. This opens vast new areas, including the US West Coast, Mediterranean, and parts of Asia, to offshore wind development. Dynamic subsea cables designed to flex with the floating structure are a key enabling technology.

Yes, in most cases. Ocean winds are stronger, more consistent, and less disrupted by terrain or buildings. Offshore turbines also run at higher capacity factors, often 40–50%, compared to 25–35% for typical onshore installations. Combined with larger turbine sizes, this translates to significantly more electricity generated per unit of installed capacity.

Offshore wind projects drive substantial local economic activity. They require major investment in port infrastructure for manufacturing, staging, and maintenance. They create skilled jobs, from cable installation crews to operations technicians, and engage local subcontractors across civil engineering, logistics, and services. Communities hosting wind-related supply chain facilities also see lasting economic benefits beyond the construction phase.

Two main cable types are required. Inter-array cables connect individual turbines to the offshore substation, typically operating at medium voltage (33–66 kV). Export cables carry bulk power from the offshore substation to shore at high voltage (132–525 kV AC, or HVDC for longer distances). Both must withstand seabed installation forces, marine environments, and decades of continuous operation, making cable engineering and installation expertise critical.