With shallow water depths close to load centres, traditional offshore markets in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are "unusual", according to Henrik Stiesdal.
However, if the industry wants to serve emerging markets off the coasts of California, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, floating foundations – which are able to be deployed in greater depths – will be necessary.
"Our industry has developed around something that is not normal," he told “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç TV at the Global Wind Summit in Hamburg.
"If we want to serve many other parts of the world, we will need to have floating turbines."
He adds that offshore wind became "mainstream", being seen as "low-risk" and "financeable", in around 2012-13. Floating wind has yet to cross that boundary, he told “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç TV, but he is confident in its potential.
He added: "If you look at this in a 30-year perspective, I think large parts of the world will be served by floating turbines."
Stiesdal also believes that as with wind turbines and fixed-bottom foundations for offshore deployment, optimum technological concepts for floating foundations will emerge.
"There will be a very small number of concepts that turn out to be long-term winners in the game," he told “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç TV.