Floating Offshore Wind

Capturing energy from offshore wind using floating foundations.

Offshore wind energy technologies harness kinetic energy from the wind to generate energy and transport that energy back to shore via a subsea export cable. The main advantage of offshore wind energy is access to stronger and more consistent winds, allowing for the use of larger turbines. The development of offshore wind in Europe and Asia has preceded development activities in other parts of the world; however, several projects in the United States are currently underway. Several floating offshore wind energy demonstrations exist throughout the world, but the technology is yet to be widely deployed.

Floating foundations are used at deep depths (40->1000m) and consist of a balanced floating substructure moored to the seabed with fixed cables. The substructure may be stabilized using buoyancy, mooring lines, or a ballast. Several designs for floating offshore wind substructures currently exist for various depth ranges, including barges, semi-submersibles, tension leg platforms, and single point anchorage buoys. These substructures are connected to one another via inter-array cables, which transport electricity generated from the turbine to floating offshore substations. High voltage export cables then transport the energy to shore. To better understand floating offshore wind, explore these videos from RWE.

The environmental concerns associated with offshore wind farms vary with foundation type. In general, collision risk with birds and bats is a major concern, though the impact is more difficult to quantify offshore because carcasses that provide evidence of collisions become lost at sea. As with all electricity generation, there is a slight concern that electromagnetic fields generated by power cables may affect animals that use Earth's natural magnetic field for orientation, navigation, and hunting. Although pile driving is one of the main concerns surrounding fixed offshore wind energy, floating projects can be constructed onshore and transported out to sea, reducing the impacts from construction-related noise and vessels. Floating foundation’s mooring lines may cause minor scouring or pose a risk of collision or entrapment, but the turbine foundation is mostly located in the upper layer of the water column where there tend to be less organisms.

Photo Credit: Joshua Bauer, NREL

Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents

Tethys is a knowledge hub that contains documents on the environmental effects of wind and marine energy. The table below contains all of the documents in the Tethys Knowledge Base associated with Floating Offshore Wind.

Total: 779

Searches title and abstract.
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Seabirds in 3D: A Framework to Evaluate Collision Vulnerability with Future Offshore Wind Developments [Final Report] Wallach, E., Chamberlin, C., Jacobson, A. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Collision Birds, Seabirds
Focal Fisheries Requirements for Floating Offshore Wind Co-Design in the Gulf of Maine and the Mid-Atlantic Bight Rzeszowski, E., Brady, D., Pol, M. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
Global Offshore Wind Report 2025 Williams, R., Zhao, F., Melkonyan, N. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Social & Economic Data
Towards a Synergistic Multi-Use in the North Sea Satish, A., Respinis, M., Breuer, J. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
The contribution of the SafeWAVE EU project to the future development of ocean energy Bald, J., Galparsoro, I., Mandiola, G. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Changes in Flow, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise
Towards Nature Positive for the Ocean: Pathways for Corporate Contributions Carrow, A., Lynch, L., Kroner, R. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Chemicals, Collision, Displacement, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Lighting, Noise Birds, Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Marine Spatial Planning
Examining the Potential for Floating Offshore Wind Farms in Irish Waters to Achieve the 37 GW Offshore Wind Energy Goal by 2050 Szczepaniec, K., O’Rourke, F., Ryan, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind
Offshore Wind Energy and Whales: TBC Industry Briefing Note The Biodiversity Consultancy Guidance Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Entanglement, Noise, Vessel Strike Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Understanding the roles, limits, and best practices for community benefit agreements in U.S. offshore wind development Bingham, J., Miller, E., Ruscetta, L. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Stakeholder Engagement
Spatial models of cetacean density in European Atlantic waters based on SCANS-IV summer 2022 survey data Gilles, A., Authier, M., Pigeault, R. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Wind, Solar and Tidal Stream: Unleashing the Full Value of Welsh Renewables RenewableUK, Marine Energy Wales, Solar Energy UK Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data
Spatial conflict in offshore wind farms: Challenges and solutions for the commercial fishing industry Szostek, C., Watson, S., Trifonova, N. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Fisheries
DMEC Market Report 2024/2025: Chapter 1 Offshore Renewable Energy Dutch Marine Energy Centre Report Marine Energy, OTEC, Salinity Gradient, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind
Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy 2025 Review Department of Environment, Climate and Communications Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Science priorities to evaluate the effects of offshore wind energy development on fish and fisheries in the Gulf of America Sura, S. , Czaja, R., Brugnone,N. Journal Article Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Attraction, Changes in Flow, Displacement, EMF, Habitat Change, Noise Ecosystem Processes, Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment, Sediment Transport, Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning, Recreation & Tourism
Frequently Asked Questions: Offshore Wind and Whales Whale Communications Committee Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Avoidance, Displacement, Entanglement, Habitat Change, Noise Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Permitting for Port Infrastructure to Support Offshore Wind in California Yost, A., Jacobson, A. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Navigation, Recreation & Tourism, Stakeholder Engagement
Environmental impacts and emissions reduction potential of floating wind and marine energy in future energy scenarios of Great Britain Struthers, I. Thesis Marine Energy, Tidal, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions
Entanglement Evidence Base OES-Environmental Summary Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Entanglement
Improving Decision Making In Relation to Offshore Wind Australian Marine Conservation Society, Australian Centre for Offshore Wind Energy, Biodiversity Council Australia Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Marine Mammals, Cetaceans, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Stakeholder Engagement
Exploratory Cross-Scale Characterization of Oceanographic Data Surrounding Offshore Wind Areas Noor, N. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Habitat Change Human Dimensions, Marine Spatial Planning
Seabirds in 3D: A Framework to Evaluate Collision Vulnerability with Future Offshore Wind Developments - Interim Project Report #2: Assessing Tradeoffs between Seabird Density at Collision Risk Height and Wind Facility Performance Wallach, E., Chamberlin, C., Schneider, S. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision Birds, Seabirds
Offshore Wind Energy: Actions Needed to Address Gaps in Interior's Oversight of Development Rusco, F. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Displacement Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Potential environmental impacts of marine renewable energy due to the release of microplastic particles from synthetic mooring cables Paredes, G., Vianello, A. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Chemicals Physical Environment, Water Quality
Chemical emissions from offshore wind farms: From identification to challenges in impact assessment and regulation Hengstmann, E., Corella, P., Alter, K. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Chemicals Physical Environment, Water Quality, Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy
Enhancing marine wildlife observations: the application of tethered balloon systems and advanced imaging sensors for sustainable marine energy development Amerson, A., Dexheimer, D. Journal Article Marine Energy, Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Birds, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Circular Economy for the Wind Sector with RWE Quinn, T., Rees, E., Bennet, L. Podcast Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Legal & Policy, Life Cycle Assessment
The role of acoustic telemetry to assess the effects of offshore wind infrastructure on fish behaviour, populations and predation Bicknell, A., Gierhart, S., Newton, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Fish
Workshop to compile evidence on the impacts of offshore renewable energy on fisheries and marine ecosystems International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Ecosystem Processes, Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Visual fields, foraging and collision vulnerability in gulls (Laridae) Cantlay, J., Portugal, S., Martin, G. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision Birds, Seabirds
Challenges and Solutions for Offshore Wind Farm Cumulative Effects Assessments for Marine Mammals Sinclair, R. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Marine Mammals
What is the value of innovative offshore renewable energy deployment to the UK economy? [2025 Update] Noble, D., Grattan, K., Jeffrey, H. Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave, Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Social & Economic Data
Exploring Approaches to Fisheries’ Coexistence with Floating Offshore Wind Sandzen, A., Bakhsh, T., MacDonald, H. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Entanglement Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Stakeholder Engagement
Recommendations for built marine infrastructure that supports natural habitats Paxton, A., Lester, S., Smith, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions
Offshore Wind Energy in Canada: Charting an Ecologically Sustainable Future from International Law and Policy Coordinates and State Practices Alikhani, M. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, Noise Bats, Birds
Effect size as a measure of biological relevance for offshore wind impact studies Methratta, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Fisheries
Multicriteria models provide enhanced insight for siting US offshore wind Santarromana, R., Abdulla, A., Morgan, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Human Dimensions, Fisheries, Marine Spatial Planning, Navigation, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data, Stakeholder Engagement, Visual Impacts
As built register Task & Finish Group Workshop: Feedback Report Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC), Pathways to Growth Coordination Group Workshop Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind Collision, Displacement Birds, Seabirds, Human Dimensions, Stakeholder Engagement
Assessing the potential acoustic impact of floating offshore wind farms in the Central Mediterranean Sea Baldachini, M., Pace, F., Buscaino, G. Journal Article Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Reptiles, Sea Turtles
Adrift in the California Current Survey: Passive Acoustic Monitoring in the California Current using Drifting Recorders Rankin, S., Burger, K., Hom-Weaver, C. Report Wind Energy, Floating Offshore Wind Noise Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Displaying 81 - 120 of 779 results