The global offshore wind market grew by nearly 30 per cent each year between 2010 and 2018, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Countries such as Denmark, China and the UK are leading the way in offshore wind power, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson even stating that he wants Britain to be the “Saudi Arabia of wind power”. The industry promises to keep growing with investment in renewable energy hitting record highs in the first half of 2021, according to BloombergNEF.
However, while wind farms harness a sustainable source of energy, the energy transition itself needs to be appropriately managed to reduce both carbon dioxide emissions and the impact on the environment from the businesses that make up this burgeoning industry.
The cables and foundations that support turbines and carry power from wind farms back to the mainland need constant monitoring and maintenance. Conducting this work on offshore wind turbines usually requires energy...