Offshore wind power is at a crossroads. Having overcome the initial phase of its young life, when turbines at sea seemed a pipe dream, this nascent industry now boasts a sizeable number of projects up and running - and a pipeline of some 124GW to 2020, according to the WPO Intelligence global database. This special report offers an insightful overview of the state of play in Europe, where most offshore wind capacity is going to be located for the foreseeable future. It also sheds light on how clear risk allocation when drafting contracts is crucial to the success of projects.
Read the report on the web by clicking on each headline
Stability vital as offshore stands at crossroads
The European Commission and national governments will have to balance their heavy expectations of offshore wind with forward-thinking regulation if the sector is not to struggle under the weight of financial and technical hurdles
UK offshore is not resting on its laurels despite its world-leading status. We report that next-generation turbines and ambitious Round 3 plans are set to boost capacity significantly
The level of development under way in the North and Baltic seas means 2013 will be a positive year for German offshore wind, but doubts over cable links to shore make the outlook beyond that uncertain
Contracts must spell out risks and liabilities
Offshore wind power is emerging as a leading energy technology in the UK, forcing project owners, developers and contractors to keep up with the pace of change. We examine the options on offer for drafting contracts that work best for all involved
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