Based on the two maps, should wind turbines be built offshore or on land? Explain why you made this decision and support your answer with data from the maps.

Answer 1

Based on the two maps, wind turbines should be built offshore rather than on land. This decision is supported by the higher wind speeds and potential for more consistent wind patterns shown in the offshore wind map.

The offshore wind map displays higher wind speeds in general, with the majority of the offshore areas colored in blue (indicating wind speeds of 8-10 m/s) and green (indicating wind speeds of 10-12 m/s). These wind speeds are ideal for generating electricity efficiently with wind turbines. In contrast, the onshore wind map shows a mix of lower wind speeds, with some areas colored in yellow (indicating wind speeds of 6-8 m/s) and orange (indicating wind speeds of 4-6 m/s).

In addition, the offshore wind map shows more consistent wind patterns across a wider area compared to the onshore wind map. This means that offshore wind turbines have a higher potential for generating a steady and reliable source of electricity compared to onshore wind turbines, which may experience more variability in wind speeds.

Overall, the data from the maps suggests that offshore wind turbines would be a more efficient and reliable choice for generating electricity compared to onshore wind turbines. Therefore, it would be advisable to build wind turbines offshore to take advantage of the higher wind speeds and more consistent wind patterns shown in the maps.