Abstract
Offshore wind (OW) energy is crucial for global climate goals and sustainable development, yet its sustainability impacts extend beyond energy benefits and the locations where wind farms are installed. This study evaluates the sustainability implications of OW, comparing fixed and floating technologies using an integrated approach that combines input-output (IO) analysis, global value chain (GVC) assessment, and a qualitative Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interlinkages assessment. The findings show that OW investment affects regions involved in material extraction, due to mining activities. This shows that a value chain perspective is essential to identify sustainability bottlenecks, such as material-related emissions, construction energy demand, and maintenance impacts, especially for floating OW. Despite its reduced seabed disturbance, floating OW’s sustainability benefits are constrained by material use, particularly related to emissions from steel production. This study provides insights for improving OW sustainability, advocating for greener value chains, increased material circularity, and the adoption of lower-impact material alternatives. These findings inform future research and policy directions for more sustainable OW deployment at scale.