Offshore wind farms are among the most powerful symbols of the global shift toward clean energy. Towering turbines harness the raw force of the sea breeze — but the true magic happens in what comes next: turning that wind into usable electricity that travels hundreds of kilometers to power homes, businesses, and industries on land.
Let’s trace the journey of offshore wind energy — from the spinning blades at sea to the electric socket in your wall.
The process begins high above the water’s surface. Offshore wind turbines, often exceeding 250 meters in height, use aerodynamic blades to capture kinetic energy from moving air. As the blades rotate, they drive a low-speed shaft connected to a gearbox and generator inside the turbine’s nacelle.
This generator converts the kinetic energy into electrical power, typically at a voltage of 690V — far too low to be efficiently transmitted over long distances. To minimize energy loss, this power must first be increased and stabilized.
Each turbine sends its electricity down through the tower’s internal cables to a collection point at the offshore substation. Here, transformers boost the voltage (often up to 66 kV or higher) to prepare it for transmission through subsea export cables — massive, insulated lines that stretch across the seabed to shore.
Subsea cabling is one of the most complex engineering challenges in offshore energy. These cables must endure strong currents, shifting sands, and corrosion from saltwater. They are buried beneath the seabed using specialized ploughs or jetting systems to prevent damage from anchors and fishing equipment.
When the electricity reaches the coast, it arrives at an onshore landing station. Here, the voltage is increased once again — usually up to 220 kV or 400 kV — to match the requirements of the national grid.
Before entering the grid, the electricity passes through a converter station, which transforms alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) or vice versa, depending on the transmission system used. This step ensures stability and synchronization with onshore infrastructure, minimizing energy loss and voltage fluctuations.
Once integrated into the grid, the electricity from offshore wind farms is indistinguishable from power generated on land. It is transmitted through regional and local networks to reach homes, factories, and public facilities — quietly powering everything from household appliances to electric vehicles.
In this sense, every offshore wind turbine becomes part of a vast, interconnected ecosystem — one that supports national energy independence, stabilizes power supply, and reduces dependence on fossil fuels.
Modern offshore transmission systems are evolving rapidly. HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technology allows for more efficient transmission over long distances, especially for wind farms located far offshore. Smart grid systems further improve stability, automatically balancing supply and demand based on real-time data.
Even subsea cables themselves are getting smarter — equipped with sensors that monitor temperature, strain, and conductivity to detect issues before they become costly failures.
Meanwhile, maintenance teams like Solwinda’s offshore specialists use rope access, drones, and remote inspection tools to ensure turbines and substations remain in optimal condition — keeping the power flowing smoothly from wind to wire.
The economics behind offshore transmission are as vital as the technology itself. Each connection between a wind farm and the onshore grid represents a multimillion-euro investment, balancing engineering precision with financial foresight. Efficient cabling design, optimized voltage levels, and predictive maintenance can significantly reduce long-term operational costs.
As more countries expand their offshore capacity, new interconnectors between national grids will make it possible to share renewable energy across borders — creating a truly integrated European energy network.
The journey from sea wind to city light is a remarkable blend of physics, engineering, and human innovation. It represents not just energy production, but progress — transforming natural motion into measurable impact.
At Solwinda, we help make that journey seamless. From turbine maintenance to subsea inspection, our team ensures that every link in the chain — from rotor to grid — performs at its best. Because when it comes to clean energy, every connection counts.