Offshore Wind Energy
Wind turbines installed in shallow marine environments, achieving higher capacity factors than onshore but at substantially higher costs.
Formula
Capacity Factor = (Actual Output / Maximum Possible Output) × 100%
Real World
Hornsea One off the Yorkshire coast, completed in 2020, is the world's largest offshore wind farm at 1.2 GW and cost approximately £4.2 billion — illustrating both the enormous energy potential and capital cost challenges of offshore development.
Exam Focus
Always quote comparative capacity factors (offshore 45-50% vs onshore 35-45%) when asked to justify why offshore development is expanding despite higher costs.
How well did you know this?