Offshore Wind Energy
Türkiye can be the supply base of offshore wind
The offshore wind farm technology and investments in this industry is showing a rapid growth globally. Especially the potential of floating wind farms is expected have major impact within the upcoming decades. While traditional offshore turbines with pile foundations can only be installed at 70 meters depth maximum, turbines with floating foundation can operate at up to 1.000 meters depths. This will allow much larger areas to be evaluated and utilised for its wind potential.
In contrast of enabling more waters to be utilised for wind energy, there’s also the downside of transmitting generated electricity from turbines installed kilometres away to shore. As the nature of wind results in irregular energy generation; with the added issue of long-distance transmission of electricity can create stress on the grid and cause several technical problems.
In order to eliminate this problem, new a concept has been developed in the form of Energy Islands.
The system created at these artificial islands first gathers the generated electricity at a central hub and later transmits it into main grid in a more regular manner using switch systems.
The next step is to harvest green hydrogen and ammonia from the electricity generated and supply the market with these products via ports established on the islands. First venture in this sense has been approved by government of Denmark and the first energy island is currently planned to be established in the North Sea.
There is a rapid growing trend of diversification of green energy in the world as well as Türkiye. Global data shows that offshore wind energy industry is growing much faster, compared to traditional inland wind energy industry.
Geographically speaking, Türkiye is located in close distance to areas with high offshore wind energy potential. This can allow Türkiye to become a hub inside supply chain, including for offshore constructions and countries planning to install offshore wind farms can supply all equipment from Türkiye.
Taking into account an estimate of 3 million € for an investment of 1 MW; total investments and supply chain for Türkiye and neighbouring countries would worth trillion dollars and we must take certain steps in various fields in order to get a slice of that cake.
Our country has made great progress in the installation, production and supply of inland wind turbines. This experience and potential, combined with our maritime industry can make Türkiye a supply base in the region.
Offshore wind energy is an untapped area of Türkiye but has great potential. New approaches to renewable energy are developed around the world within the framework of business models and energy needs. The goal is not to just generate energy from wind; but also produce hydrogen and ammonia. These power plants can be actively used for the production of green hydrogen and ammonia in Türkiye.
According to World Bank data, 20 GW of offshore wind potential, over total potential of 70 GW, is located in Aegean and Marmara regions.
As offshore projects start from 500 MW as minimum. these projects can only be made possible via consortium structures with governments involvement.
Greece has set a target of 2 GW in offshore wind farm installation in the Aegean Sea. As a country, we need to declare a similar target so that it will attract the attention of domestic and foreign investors; creating an efficient investment environment and supply chain structures.
OWPP 2030 capacity projection of surrounding countries
According to the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), 5% of global electricity generation was from offshore wind plants last year. Global offshore wind power capacity reached 48 GW at the end of last year. According to the council, offshore wind power capacity will exceed 20 gigawatts per year growth rate by 2025. In the same period, the share of offshore wind energy in total installed electricity power shall increase to 20 percent.
DRES 2030 capacity projection of countries
Taking into account the potential in not only our country but also the surrounding countries; our country should evaluate its potential to become the region’s leading country in shipping, ports, shipyards, marine construction and equipment supply manufacturing. Türkiye should at least declare its offshore energy target immediately to allow investors, potential local contractors and suppliers to make estimations about the offshore WPP.
Ukraine and Russia ironically have a lot of potential for offshore WPP in the Black Sea. The potential here can be utilised in green hydrogen/ammonia production. Perhaps these resources will become more valuable than oil production in the near future. The trends in the world are in this direction as well; thanks to OWPP-based hydrogen/ammonia production, the dependency on oil and natural gas is expected to decrease gradually.
To summarise, Türkiye is located in a geography close to the offshore fields with hundreds of GW potential in offshore wind energy in the Caspian Sea, the Red Sea and the Black Sea. This will create several trillion dollars of market and supply chain potential. Our country is in a geographically advantageous position to be one of the few offshore supply centers established in the world. Türkiye can become a hub in the supply chain, including offshore construction. Countries that want to build an offshore wind farm can supply all their equipment from Türkiye. Attempts should be made by government, private sector and non-governmental organizations to take the initiative and pave the way for this field as soon as possible.
Offshore Wind Energy Association (DURED) was established for the purpose of making and developing offshore wind farm investments in Türkiye, bringing the maritime and energy sectors together and coordinating collaborations. DURED ensures the activation and development of civil activities related to offshore wind energy, supports individuals and organizations working on this issue and raises awareness by actively using public institutions and universities in association activities. As a result of our active work in this context, our association has been entitled to benefit from EU funds for DRES technology development. The main goals of our association are to reveal the current potential of our country in the field of offshore wind energy resources, to ensure the development of offshore wind energy use and its industry and to contribute to its development and to the creation of legislation.energy use and industry, to contribute to its development and to the creation of legislation.
What’s in this news?
The European Commission has approved a €5 billion Danish State aid scheme to support offshore wind development. Covering the Hesselø and North Sea I Mid projects, the scheme is expected to play a key role in achieving the EU’s 2030 renewable energy targets and accelerating the transition to a net-zero economy.
The European Commission has approved a €5 billion (DKK 37.6 billion) Danish State aid scheme aimed at supporting offshore wind energy deployment.
The measure aligns with the objectives of the Clean Industrial Deal and is designed to contribute to the EU’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
Two offshore wind projects to be supported
The scheme will support the development of two major offshore wind farms:
- Hesselø Offshore Wind Farm
- Minimum capacity: 0.8 GW
- Expected annual generation: ~3.2 TWh
- North Sea I Mid Offshore Wind Farm
- Minimum capacity: 1 GW
- Expected annual generation: ~4.6 TWh
Combined, these projects are expected to generate electricity equivalent to approximately 25% of Denmark’s annual electricity production.
Two-way CfD mechanism
The support will be granted through a two-way Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism:
- Producers receive payments when market prices fall below the strike price
- Producers pay back when market prices exceed the strike price
This design ensures both investor certainty and proper market functioning.
20-year support period
The scheme will run for 20 years and will be allocated via a competitive bidding process. Support will be based on potential generation capacity rather than actual production.
Supporting EU energy transition
The Commission concluded that the scheme is:
- Necessary and proportionate
- Supportive of the net-zero transition
- Effective in reducing fossil fuel dependency
and compliant with EU State aid rules.
Is Türkiye Ready for Offshore Wind? Industry Perspectives Point to Industrial Potential
Offshore wind energy is becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the global energy transition. As the sector expands across Europe, discussions around Türkiye’s offshore wind potential are also gaining momentum.
Industry representatives speaking during KEY – The Energy Transition Expo 2026 highlighted both the opportunities and the structural challenges facing offshore wind development in Türkiye.
According to DÜRED Chairman Murat Durak, Türkiye already has a significant industrial base that could support offshore wind projects.
A Strong Industrial Ecosystem
Durak pointed out that Turkish shipyards and heavy industry facilities are already capable of manufacturing various offshore structures and components.
Some shipyards are already involved in manufacturing for European offshore projects, indicating that Türkiye could potentially play a role within the broader offshore wind supply chain.
This industrial capacity suggests that Türkiye could position itself not only as a project developer but also as a manufacturing and supply hub for offshore wind equipment.
Port Infrastructure Remains a Critical Requirement
Despite this industrial capacity, Durak noted that one of the key missing elements is dedicated offshore wind port infrastructure.
Offshore wind projects require large-scale logistics operations for transporting turbine components, installing foundations, and maintaining offshore structures.
Developing suitable port infrastructure is therefore considered an important step for enabling large-scale offshore wind projects in Türkiye.
Supply Chain Opportunities
DÜRED Board Member Bilgihan Yaşacan emphasized the importance of the offshore wind supply chain.
According to Yaşacan, offshore wind development creates opportunities across a wide range of sectors, including:
- marine construction
- engineering services
- offshore platforms
- subsea cable installation
- heavy logistics and equipment manufacturing
He stressed that supporting the development of companies capable of operating in offshore environments will be essential for building a sustainable offshore wind ecosystem.
Regional Opportunities
Industry representatives also highlighted that offshore wind opportunities should not be viewed solely within Türkiye’s domestic market.
Potential offshore wind developments in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East could create additional opportunities for Turkish shipyards, engineering firms, and industrial suppliers.
The Mediterranean Could Become a New Offshore Market
While Northern European countries have led offshore wind development for many years, the Mediterranean region is still considered an emerging market.
According to sector representatives, this situation could create new opportunities for countries with strong industrial capabilities such as Türkiye.
If offshore wind projects begin to expand in the Mediterranean basin, Türkiye’s industrial sector could play an important role in supporting regional offshore wind development.
On 14 January 2026, the United Kingdom awarded a total of 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity under Allocation Round 7 (AR7), marking the largest offshore wind auction ever held in Europe.
The awarded capacity includes 8.2 GW of bottom-fixed offshore wind and nearly 200 MW of floating wind projects. The new capacity is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 10 million homes.
Record competition drives competitive pricing
AR7 was one of the most competitive offshore auctions ever held in Europe. A record 19 projects, representing a combined potential capacity of 24 GW, were eligible to bid.
The strong competition resulted in 2024 strike prices of:
£91.20/MWh in England and Wales
£89.49/MWh in Scotland
These levels are approximately 40% lower than the cost of building and operating new gas plants in the UK (£147/MWh) and nearly 30% lower than new nuclear plants (£124/MWh).
The 8.4 GW of new offshore wind capacity is estimated to save UK billpayers nearly £1.7 billion per year compared to gas generation.
CfD framework proves effective
The UK’s two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfD) mechanism once again demonstrated its ability to de-risk projects and provide long-term revenue visibility.
With a total budget of £1.79 billion — exceeding the initial £1.1 billion allocation — the UK Government secured additional capacity to enhance energy security and economic resilience.
Following the failed AR5 round in 2023 and limited new capacity under AR6, AR7 represents a significant turning point for offshore wind deployment in the UK.
AR7 winning projects
AR7 awarded support to six bottom-fixed offshore wind projects and two floating wind projects:
| Project | CfD Capacity (MW) | Owner(s) | Strike Price (2024) | Delivery (Phase 1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awel y Mor | 775 | RWE (60%), Stadtwerke München (30%), Siemens Financial Services (10%) | £91.2/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Dogger Bank South | 3000 | RWE (51%), Masdar (49%) | £91.2/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Norfolk Vanguard East | 1545 | RWE | £91.2/MWh | 2029/30 |
| Norfolk Vanguard West | 1545 | RWE | £91.2/MWh | 2028/29 |
| Berwick Bank | 1380 | SSE Renewables | £89.49/MWh | 2030/31 |
| Pentland (floating) | 92.5 | Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (80%), Eurus Energy (10%), Hexicon (10%) | £216.49/MWh | 2029/30 |
| Erebus (floating) | 100 | TotalEnergies (80%), Simply Blue Energy (20%) | £216.49/MWh | 2029/30 |
The 192 MW awarded to floating wind projects marks another step toward commercial-scale floating wind deployment. Industry stakeholders emphasise the need for tailored support schemes, clear auction timelines for floating wind, and infrastructure investment in ports to sustain momentum.
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