Offshore wind energy in Europe: situation, policies, impacts

This academic study aimed at identifying implications associated with the installation of an offshore wind farm through an analysis of conditions of support of the development of this energy, and of consequences of the installation of a wind farm on a given territory. In a first part, the author sheds a light on the European commitment in offshore wind energy: overview of the technology and of its evolution, situation in Europe with Northern Europe as a leader. In the second part, he discusses the situation of European policies: action at the European Union level in favour of offshore wind energy, examples of implemented policies (three success stories in Europe, and the French delay). The last part addresses environmental, economic, social, and political impacts of offshore wind energy development for the concerned territories.