Riding a wave of limitless possibilities, floating offshore wind turbines could be a prominent source of renewable energy soon. Several deepwater “floaters” are already in operation around the world — primarily in Europe — and plans are in motion for the first such U.S. project.
The plan is to install a floating wind turbine in the Gulf of Maine. Towering 850 feet above the ocean, the platform will be tethered to the seabed with thick metal cables. It is expected to be completed by 2030 and generate up to 15 megawatts of electricity. Eventually, the project would expand to an array of 10 such turbines and produce up to 144 megawatts of energy.
Similar projects are being discussed for the Eastern and Western Seaboards and the Gulf of Mexico. California recently held its first floating offshore wind lease sale. The auction included five sites about 20 miles off the coast of Morro Bay and Humboldt County. And earlier this year, six offshore wind leases off New Yor
