Regulating offshore wind energy

In: Nieuwenhout , C T 2021 , Regulating offshore wind energy . in M M Roggenkamp , K J de Graaf & R C Fleming (eds) , Energy Law, Climate Change and the Environment . Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law , vol. 9 , Edward Elgar , pp. 535-545 . https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788119689.IX.45

Abstract

Offshore wind has become a large component of the renewable energy ambitions of many coastal states. Whereas onshore wind energy has a large visual impact on the landscape, offshore wind farms have fewer problems of this nature. Although this technology has historically been more expensive than its onshore counterpart, the cost reductions are promising – in part due to the larger areas available offshore, which allow for large economies of scale to be reached. After providing a factual background of offshore wind development, the chapter provides an overview of international law applicable to offshore wind farms. As the majority of offshore wind farms are located in the EU, the chapter also gives an overview of applicable EU law, before providing examples of different legislative options available to states throughout the lifetime of an offshore wind farm, based on a comparative overview of different national legislative systems for offshore wind.