Offshore wind potential of a central Mediterranean Archipelago

Abstract

An ongoing research programme initiated by the Institute for Energy Technology of the University of Malta indicates that the prospects for land based wind energy conversion systems are encouraging. The next natural step is to extend this analysis and evaluate the potential for offshore wind generation. This sector is all the more important as being a small archipelago imposes additional constraints on land availability and utilisation. Based upon results derived by the WASP program and focusing on other multidisciplinary aspects commonly associated with offshore wind generation, this paper will attempt to lay the grounds for future research in the offshore wind assessment field.