Low wind speeds mar offshore wind profits
Below-normal speeds slashed wind power generation in Europe in Q3, highlighting the risks faced by operators in the region
Seasonal variations in wind speeds have dampened results for European energy companies’ offshore wind segments. Denmark’s Orsted, Sweden’s Vattenfall and Germany’s RWE all noted low wind speeds as a factor offsetting additional revenue from new capacity installed in the first nine months or third quarter of 2021. Orsted’s offshore power generation fell by 28pc year-on-year in Q3 “primarily due to significantly lower wind speeds, the divestment of 50pc of [the] Borssele 1&2 [wind farm] in May 2021, and a slightly lower availability”. Revenue from operational offshore wind farms decreased by 18pc, to DKK3.4bn ($530mn). This was offset by revenue from power sales, which more than tripled to

Also in this section
28 March 2025
The massive expansion of the Northern Lights project in Norway is the clearest sign yet that the European oil and gas companies mean business when it comes to CCS
27 March 2025
Awards celebrate global innovation, leadership and achievement across the energy sector’s people, projects, technologies and companies.
20 March 2025
While advanced economies debate peak fossil fuel demand, billions of people still lack access to reliable and affordable energy, especially in the Global South
14 March 2025
Ignoring questions of sustainability will not make the problems they focus on go away