With the appeal for wind power on the rise over the last decade in Europe, Türkiye is providing a promising frontier for offshore turbines.
Rising to its potential, Türkiye ranked 7th on European charts last year with a total wind power generation of 10,750 MW and earned itself a 4th spot with a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 1,400 MW in 2021.
European Wind Energy Association (WindEurope) CEO Giles Dickson stated that Türkiye is a valuable country in the industry, with its installed capacity of over 10,000 GW of onshore wind energy and its production in this field. “Türkiye is an important trade partner for Europe that wants to diversify its wind energy equipment imports," Dickson was quoted as saying. “Türkiye's exploitation of its coastal wind potential and the revitalization of its offshore wind capacity will create new opportunities for investors and open new doors for employment," he added.
Offshore wind turbines are generally larger in size, more robust and adapted to the marine environment. They offer a greater scale with bigger output. Therefore, offshore wind speeds tend to be faster than those on land. A small increase in wind speed yield means large increases in energy production. Wind turbines provide renewable energy, do not consume water, are a domestic energy source, vector for employment generation, and do not emit environmental pollutants or greenhouse gases.
Last but not least, offshore wind offers benefits in terms of taking land acquisition issues out of the equation as well as availing of steadier wind speed than on land, which translates to steadier supply and a more reliable source of energy for consumers with very high-energy needs.