Onshore vs Offshore Wind Energy – Differences and Challenges

As the United Kingdom continues its journey towards net-zero emissions by 2050, wind energy plays a central role in decarbonising the national grid. With increasing urgency to move away from fossil fuels, wind power offers a scalable and sustainable alternative. Yet, not all wind energy is created equal. The distinction between onshore vs offshore wind is more than geographical—it reflects differences in technology, cost, environmental impact, and energy strategy.

In a country with vast coastlines and wind-rich uplands, both onshore and offshore wind farms are critical. Understanding the key differences between them is essential for shaping future policy, investment, and public support. This article explores the full picture of onshore vs offshore wind energy, tailored to the UK’s current and future energy landscape.

The Growth of Wind Energy in the UK

The UK is a global leader in wind energy, with wind turbines generating over a quarter of the country’s electricity in 2023. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the UK had an installed wind capacity of more than 30 GW by the end of 2023—roughly split between onshore and offshore systems.

This achievement is the result of two decades of policy support, private investment, and technological advancement. The UK has pioneered offshore wind in particular, boasting some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms, such as Hornsea 2 in the North Sea. Meanwhile, onshore wind remains the cheapest and quickest form of new power generation.

Despite this, planning barriers, local opposition, and changes in subsidy schemes have slowed onshore deployment in recent years. In contrast, offshore wind has received more consistent support from successive governments.

What Is Onshore Wind Energy?

Onshore wind refers to turbines located on land, typically in rural, hilly or coastal regions with strong and consistent wind speeds. In the UK, onshore wind farms are widespread in Scotland, Wales, and northern England, often placed on farmland, moorlands or hillsides.

These turbines convert wind into electricity through a rotor and generator system. The power is then fed into the national grid via local substations and transmission lines. Onshore wind farms are relatively quick to build, and maintenance is simpler due to easy land access.

The primary appeal of onshore wind is its cost-effectiveness. It remains the cheapest form of new electricity generation in the UK—even cheaper than solar or gas-fired power. In addition, landowners benefit from lease payments, and local communities often receive funds or ownership stakes through community energy schemes.

However, public resistance over visual impact, noise, and environmental concerns can delay or block planning applications. Some critics argue that turbines spoil the countryside, particularly in protected areas like national parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

What Is Offshore Wind Energy?

Offshore wind energy involves turbines installed in UK waters—typically in the North Sea, Irish Sea, or English Channel. These turbines are mounted on fixed foundations in shallow waters or on floating platforms in deeper areas. The electricity generated is transmitted to the mainland via subsea cables.

Offshore wind offers several advantages over its onshore counterpart. Wind speeds at sea are generally higher and more stable, allowing for greater energy output and improved reliability. Because the turbines are located far from populated areas, they avoid visual intrusion and reduce noise complaints.

The UK is home to several large offshore wind farms, including the Dogger Bank project, which, when completed, will be the world’s largest. Offshore wind now forms a cornerstone of the UK’s energy strategy, with a target of 50 GW of offshore capacity by 2030.

Nonetheless, offshore wind is significantly more expensive to build and maintain. It requires specialist vessels, corrosion-resistant materials, and complicated grid connections. Weather conditions can delay both construction and routine maintenance, increasing costs further.

Onshore vs Offshore: Technical and Operational Differences

The onshore vs offshore comparison becomes more nuanced when examining the technical and operational differences between the two.

Installation and Logistics:
Onshore turbines are relatively easy to transport using road vehicles and conventional cranes. Offshore turbines, by contrast, need to be shipped and assembled at sea using specialised vessels and port facilities.

Design and Scale:
Offshore turbines are typically much larger than onshore ones, with capacities exceeding 14 MW per unit. Their design must account for saltwater corrosion, waves, and extreme wind speeds. Onshore turbines are smaller but more modular and easier to service.

Grid Integration:
Connecting onshore turbines to the national grid is straightforward. Offshore wind farms require subsea cabling, offshore substations, and landfall infrastructure, all of which add complexity and cost.

Maintenance and Accessibility:
Onshore turbines can be serviced with standard maintenance crews and vehicles. Offshore turbines depend on calm sea conditions and may require helicopters or vessels for access, making repair operations riskier and more expensive.

Planning and Permitting:
Offshore projects generally benefit from streamlined national-level planning. In contrast, onshore developments face more local scrutiny and potential opposition, particularly in England, where recent policies have made planning approval more difficult.

These differences influence where, how, and when projects are developed, and they highlight why both forms of wind energy have distinct roles to play in the UK’s transition.

Advantages of Onshore Wind in the UK

Despite recent planning hurdles, onshore wind holds several distinct advantages for the UK’s energy transition:

Affordability:
Onshore wind is the lowest-cost renewable technology in Britain. It requires less capital investment and offers a quicker return on investment compared to offshore alternatives.

Speed of Deployment:
Once planning permission is granted, onshore projects can be built and operational in under 12–18 months. This makes them ideal for meeting near-term energy targets.

Community Benefits:
Onshore wind often includes local benefits such as community ownership, shared profits, or investment in local services. This helps build local support and ensures economic gains stay within the area.

Grid Flexibility:
Onshore wind farms can be distributed across the country, helping to balance the grid and reduce reliance on long-distance electricity transmission.

Job Creation:
Building and maintaining onshore turbines supports local employment in rural and semi-rural regions, contributing to economic regeneration.

In short, onshore wind is efficient, proven, and capable of delivering immediate impact, provided policy and planning frameworks enable its growth.

Advantages of Offshore Wind for the UK

Offshore wind has taken centre stage in the UK’s clean energy ambitions. The advantages of this model are substantial:

High Energy Yield:
Thanks to higher and more consistent wind speeds at sea, offshore turbines generate significantly more electricity per unit than onshore ones.

Scale and Capacity:
The vast areas available offshore mean larger wind farms can be built without affecting local communities. This opens the door to gigawatt-scale projects that can power millions of homes.

Public Acceptance:
Located far from populated areas, offshore turbines face minimal public resistance related to aesthetics or noise. This eases the permitting process and improves social acceptance.

Strategic Location:
Many offshore farms are situated close to coastal urban centres like London, Newcastle, and Edinburgh. This reduces transmission losses and improves grid efficiency.

Innovation Leadership:
The UK is at the forefront of floating wind technology, which allows turbines to be placed in deeper waters—expanding available sites and fostering engineering expertise.

While offshore wind is capital-intensive, its long-term returns and alignment with UK climate goals make it a high-value investment for both government and private stakeholders.

Challenges in Onshore vs Offshore Development

While both wind technologies are vital, they also face unique challenges in the UK context.

Onshore Challenges:

• Planning restrictions in England

• Visual and noise objections

• Wildlife and habitat concerns

• Grid constraints in remote areas

• Lack of stable policy incentives

Offshore Challenges:

• High construction and maintenance costs

• Weather-related delays and risks

• Limited UK supply chain capacity

• Environmental impact on marine ecosystems

• Complex transmission requirements

Policy reform, investment in infrastructure, and innovation are key to addressing these barriers and unlocking the full potential of wind energy in all its forms.

The Future of Wind in the UK: Onshore vs Offshore

As the UK works towards achieving net-zero, the onshore vs offshore dynamic is not a competition—it’s a collaboration. Both technologies are necessary and complementary.

Onshore wind can deliver fast, affordable capacity, especially in Scotland and Wales, where land availability and wind conditions are favourable. With planning reform in England, onshore capacity could expand significantly.

Offshore wind is the powerhouse of the future. With large-scale developments in the pipeline, the UK aims to remain a global leader in offshore technology, exporting skills, equipment, and innovation worldwide.

By integrating both onshore and offshore projects into a unified energy strategy—alongside solar, storage, and smart grid technology—the UK can ensure a resilient, clean, and sovereign energy system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is offshore wind more efficient than onshore?
Yes, offshore wind turbines benefit from stronger and steadier winds, leading to higher energy output per unit.

2. Why is onshore wind cheaper than offshore?
Onshore wind involves simpler logistics, easier maintenance, and lower material costs, making it more cost-effective to build and operate.

3. What’s holding back onshore wind in England?
Strict planning rules and local opposition have limited new onshore developments, though reforms are currently under discussion.

4. How much offshore wind is the UK building?
The UK plans to reach 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, with major projects underway in the North Sea and beyond.

5. Can the UK be powered entirely by wind?
Wind could provide the majority of UK electricity with sufficient investment, storage technology, and grid integration—but a mix of sources is still needed.