Offshore wind power faces a fair amount opposition here in the US usually regarding whether these kinds of systems are bad for the environment, and also local concerns on how they might detract from otherwise pristine coastlines and ocean fronts. The benefit of such projects is that offshore wind power farms are subject to much more wind than many terrestrial farms are. As winds travel over the large expanse of the oceans they have time to gain speed and power, but as soon as they hit the continents the energy in the wind drops off rapidly as most of it is lost to friction from trees and mountains. This added efficiency is worth putting some of these wind power farms offshore. Despite the opposition a large wind farm off the Massachusetts coast was approved April 28th.

This project marks the first in many more offshore wind farms in the US. Locations such as the historically windy Great Lakes and along most of the eastern seaboard from Maine to Florida are all particularly well suited for wind power could hope to have similar wind farms approved in a few years. All adding to the extensive network of renewable energies promoted under the Obama administration’s energy outlook. Many nations in Europe have already adopted offshore wind systems, such as Denmark, Germany, Spain, Italy, the UK and still others. The US will take its place as another nation using offshore wind power, and continue to help lead the world in wind power production.