Put the stability below the surface.
A spar uses a deep hull and low ballast. A semisubmersible spreads its buoyant structure across several columns. Tension-leg platforms use taut tendons that restrain the buoyant platform. Sources 1–2
Episode 09 · Offshore wind · 2 min 57 sec
How are floating wind turbines anchored in deep water?
A giant turbine. A moving ocean. Hundreds of metres to the seabed. Follow the lines to the engineering hidden below.
The complete story · One short film
The ocean keeps moving.
The turbine stays connected.
Discover the system that supports the turbine above the waves and holds its position over the seabed.
- Buoyancy and ballast help keep the platform upright
- Mooring lines transfer loads to seabed anchors
- The whole system must accommodate movement
AI-generated presenter and illustrative scenes. These are simplified engineering visualizations, not footage of a specific wind farm.
Watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)Explore the explanationThe key idea
Floating does not mean drifting.
The platform provides buoyancy and stability. Mooring lines connect it to anchors in the seabed and limit its displacement. These parts work together: keeping a turbine upright and keeping it within its operating area are related engineering tasks. Sources 1–2
Inside the episode
Different platforms. Different ways to stay stable.
Choose the lines for the loads.
Spars and semisubmersibles can use catenary, semi-taut or taut moorings. A tension-leg system uses near-vertical tendons. Water depth, seabed conditions and environmental loads influence the choice. Source 2
Questions, answered
What is happening underwater?
How does a suction anchor enter the seabed?
The steel cylinder is open at the bottom and capped at the top. Its weight starts penetration. Pumping water out lowers the internal pressure; the resulting pressure difference helps drive it farther into suitable soil. Its installed holding capacity depends on the anchor and the surrounding ground. Source 3
Do all floating turbines use the same anchor?
No. Mooring systems may use suction piles, drag-embedment anchors or driven piles, among other solutions. Selection depends on ground conditions, load direction and installation requirements. Source 2
Is 60 metres an absolute limit for fixed foundations?
No. It is a useful reference when discussing the economics of deeper-water wind projects. The appropriate foundation depends on the site and the design. Source 1
About the visuals
Platform shapes, anchor movements and underwater distances are simplified for explanation. The illustrations are not construction drawings or a representation of a particular project.
Explore further
Follow the evidence.
- U.S. Department of Energy — Wind on the Waves
Floating support concepts, ballast and deeper-water foundations.
- Acteon — Floating offshore wind mooring options
Spread moorings, tension-leg systems and anchor selection.
- Acteon — How do suction piles work?
Deployment, initial penetration and pressure-assisted installation.
References checked October 10, 2026.
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