In Europe, wind turbines are increasingly being placed offshore to reduce visual and noise polution impacts on populated areas.

Wind Power Limited's 9MW Aerogenerator is designed to feature eight blades arranged in a V-shape around a vertical axis, the entire structure over 130m tall. The Aerogenerator is predicted to have a 10-15 year longer lifespan than standard horizontal access turbines.

Wind Power, a client of innovation funding company Camrow, is looking to unveil its project at the Clean Energy Show to be held in London.

“Current offshore wind farms use technology that was designed for operation on land,” said Camrow Director Richard Moseley.

“This makes it more expensive offshore than onshore, hence the dash by the generating companies to cover the countryside with propellers.”

With the recent success of wind farm projects off the UK coast, Moseley is confident that a waterborne Aerogenerator could redefine how people consider generating wind energy.

“The combination of floating base, low level generator, and increased generating capacity, means that offshore wind generated electricity can be cheaper than that current generated onshore.”