MrFoolish wrote:doolally wrote:Maybe it's cheaper to install a turbine, but is it cheaper per MW? Onshore wind is lower speed and less reliable compared to offshore. See
https://www.windy.com/?54.841,-3.683,5Perhaps the extra cost of installing larger offshore turbines still produces lower cost overall and more reliable supply
doolally
I see you threw in a link, but there was nothing in that link about costs. I think it's pretty well known that on-shore is cheaper.
I couldn't find any links to cost expressed in a simple way, though it's clear that measuring cost is not easy. Obviously, sticking a turbine in a local field is cheaper than offshore, especially if offshore is deep water, but installation cost is not the main driver,
What's the point of wind turbines? It's to generate electricity. If the wind isn't blowing, the turbines can be as cheap as you like but the cost per MWh will be high.
The main driver for offshore is not to make turbines nimby-proof, it's to provide the greatest amount of power
and to do that reliably. And offshore wind is stronger and far more reliable than onshore. It costs more to install and maintain, but should reduce the amount of back-up required from gas or nuclear.
doolally (renowned non-expert)