As part of a global effort to transition away from fossil fuel-based energy production, the UK has seen accelerated growth in offshore wind as a means of producing clean electricity. In 2022, British wind farms reported a record contribution to national electricity, at 26.8% ​[2]​, with offshore wind being responsible for 14.1% respectively, thus, highlighting the significance of these technologies to the existing and future energy network.  

 

Due to the rapid expansion of the offshore wind sector, especially in Scotland, the economic benefit of investment into the offshore wind sector is becoming more lucrative, with private investment expected to see £155bn of private investment between 2022 and 2030 along with the provision of over 65,000 new jobs ​[1]​. 

 

The main benefit of placing wind turbines offshore is that the potential energy production is greater due to the unobstructed landscape and consequent higher wind speeds. However, wind turbines offshore are subject to harsher conditions than onshore, therefore, to maximise energy production by the offshore wind farms, they require continuous maintenance over their 25-year life span, with Typical O&M activities consisting of minor and medium repairs such as repainting or repairing foundation damage ranging to major repairs such as component replacement. 

 

The two vessel types that are responsible for these tasks are Crew Transfer Vessels, or CTVs and Service Operation Vessels SOVs. (Images here). These continuous O&M activities contribute large amounts of CO2 emissions due to the use of the heavy diesel fuel that is used to power the vessels. Recent studies have estimated that 20.4% of the total CO2 emissions produced during the lifecycle of an offshore windfarm, come from these operations and maintenance.  

 

 The problem becomes apparent. The clean energy being produced by offshore wind farms is being offset by the large volumes of greenhouse gases emitted to maintain the wind turbines over their lifespan.