Offshore wind energy: foundational track

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Offshore wind is a key technology in the transition towards a renewable, secure and resilient energy system and will remain central to Europe’s long-term energy ambitions. Belgium is a clear example of this momentum. Today, Belgium’s offshore wind farms represent an installed capacity of 2.26 GW, covering 10% of Belgium’s total electricity demand. With the planned roll-out of the Princess Elisabeth Zone, divided into three blocks, an additional 3.15 GW to 3.5 GW of offshore wind capacity can be developed, corresponding roughly to the electricity consumption of all Belgian households.

At the European level, offshore wind energy plays a central role in the EU Green Deal and REPowerEU strategies. The European Union has set clear ambitions to massively scale up offshore renewable capacity in order to enhance energy security and accelerate defossilization. Belgium’s rapid development aligns closely with these broader European priorities.

To support this rapidly developing sector, Ghent University provides three tracks of lifelong learning courses for those who want to expand their knowledge of all phases of offshore wind energy, with a mix of academic and industrial speakers:

Foundational track
Technological track (spring 2027)
Cross-cutting track (May-June 2027)

This foundational track provides participants with a broad introduction to the offshore wind energy sector. It covers the main concepts, terminology and processes throughout the offshore wind project life cycle, from tendering and financing to installation, grid integration, operations and maintenance, and decommissioning. Participants are also introduced to the main components of offshore wind farms, the organizational context of offshore wind projects, and the latest innovation drivers, technology developments and market trends.

Setting the Scene: The Offshore Wind Energy Sector
From Tender to Design: Basics of Offshore Wind Engineering
The ABC of Offshore Wind Financing
Offshore Wind Farm Building Blocks: Turbines, Generators, Foundations, Cables and Offshore Substations
Offshore Wind Installation Processes and Terminology
Powering the Grid: Introduction to Electrical Power Systems and Transmission
Integrating Offshore Wind into the Power System - the TSO perspective
Behind the Project: Corporate and Contractual Structures in Offshore Wind
Offshore Wind Operations and Maintenance: Lessons from the past, outlook for the future
End-of-Life for Offshore Wind Farms: Decommissioning and Beyond
Innovation drivers, technology and market trends overview
What’s Next for Offshore Wind?