renewable energy

Offshore Substation – The Beating Heart of a Wind Farm

Offshore substation platform illuminated at night, North Sea wind farm.
Offshore substation seen from a vessel bridge in the North Sea.

An offshore substation (OSS) is the critical hub of a wind farm, where the power generated offshore is collected and transmitted back to shore. Sitting high above the waves, it is one of the most striking structures in the renewables industry.

From the vessel bridge, the platform is an impressive sight in the distance, glowing gold against the sea at night. These substations not only represent engineering excellence but also play a vital role in the delivery of clean energy across the UK and beyond.

Exploring and photographing offshore substations is always a privilege—capturing them from both the technical working perspective and as powerful silhouettes on the horizon.

The offshore industry is full of dramatic structures and scenes, from turbines to substations. You can explore more of my work in the Wind Industry portfolio, as well as my wider Industrial and Places collections.