Why are there wind turbines out at sea?

Nowadays, it is impossible to imagine the Dutch landscape without wind turbines. That is because they play an important role in the transition to renewable energy. You can find wind turbines both on land and at sea, but why do we place them at sea?

In general, the wind is more powerful and more constant at sea. So, wind turbines can generate more energy. Added bonus: at sea, there is more room for larger turbines, and they cause less disturbance for the people living in the area. The larger the turbine and the rotor blades, the more energy can be generated. At sea, these enormous turbines can generate enough electricity to supply power to thousands of households.

But, just because we cannot see or hear those large wind turbines from the shore, does not mean that they are not bothering anyone. The marine animals that live out there are affected, because it can be difficult for them to hear others of their kind due to the noise. Filling up the whole sea with these machines is therefore not an option.