11 min read·
Fixed-bottom vs floating offshore vs onshore wind: costs, capacity factors, and deployment trade-offs
Onshore wind delivers the lowest LCOE at $26-$50/MWh but faces land constraints, fixed-bottom offshore achieves higher capacity factors (45-55%) at $60-$100/MWh, and floating platforms unlock deeper water sites at $100-$150/MWh with costs projected to fall 40-50% by 2030. This comparison evaluates siting flexibility, grid value, and investment risk across all three configurations.