The relentless expansion of the offshore wind farm renewable energy sector has triggered a wide range of competitive support vessel designs, from basic crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to supply craft and installation jack-ups. However, the question of which CTV type is most fit for purpose is still a matter for debate. Industry projections suggest that, by 2015, the average European wind farm park will be situated some 85km from shore and consist of 72 turbines. Northern Europe is still the hot spot for this energy source, with installations in the North Sea and off the UK, Netherlands, Germany and Denmark coastlines accounting for 80% of all European wind farm activity. Of the remainder, the North Atlantic Ocean (including zones off the tip of North Western Africa) accounts for approximately 16% of activity, with the Baltic Sea overseeing 4%.
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