World’s Most Powerful Offshore Wind Turbine to Be Built in Norway

A wind turbine

Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy. This can be achieved through such structures as wind turbines, wind mills, wind pumps etc. As of 2009,1.5% of the worldwide electricity usage was provided for by wind-powered generators. This is a capacity of 157.9 gigawatts (GW).

The industry is growing rapidly, having doubled in the three years between 2005 and 2008.

Amidst these developments, Norway is now planning to build the world’s most powerful wind turbine!

How powerful?

At 162.5 meters (533 feet) tall and with a rotor diameter of 145 meters (475 feet), the 10-megawatt prototype will be roughly three times more powerful than ordinary wind turbines currently in place!

(via: OMAFRA)

The objective?

To develop a technology that will result in higher energy generation for offshore wind power. It is hoped that the project would supply electricity to 2000 homes.

The project doesn’t come cheap either…

The prototype is estimated to cost 400 million kroner (67 million US dollars) of which 137 million Norwegian kroner (23 million dollars) has already been pledged by Enova, a public agency owned by Norway’s petroleum and oil industry ministry.

Norway is one of the world’s top oil and gas producers but obtains most of its own energy through hydroelectric power. The new project however is a milestone in the country’s commitment to a cleaner and greener future.