The global market for offshore wind has grown by 16% in the last year, according to a new report from RenewableUK.
The US accounted for nearly half – 48% – of global growth from June 2018 to June2019, according to new analysis the trade body is releasing at Global Offshore Wind 2019 in London.
Worldwide the portfolio of global offshore wind projects in operation, under construction or in development rose from just under 105GW to over 121GW in the last year, according to the association’s latest data.
Europe is the largest single region, accounting for 66% of the global pipeline.
The UK remains the largest single market with projects totalling over 38.4GW at varying stages of development, a 9% rise in the last year.
The UK Government recently agreed a Sector Deal with the industry that will see offshore wind providing over a third UK power by 2030.
Germany has kept its second place position in the global rankings with 16.5GW of capacity, a fall on 12 months ago following the cancellation of some older projects that have been stalled for a number of years.
The US has overtaken both China (12GW) and Taiwan (8.9GW) to become the third largest global markets as its pipeline of projects has grown to 15.7GW, up from 7.5GW in 2018.
The strong growth driver in the US market has been new policy initiatives from east coast states, such as Massachusetts bringing forward plans for an additional 1.6GW and New Jersey unveiling a target of 3.5GW by 2030.
These five countries dominate the global market for offshore wind, accounting for 75% of capacity worldwide.
Commenting on the new figures, RenewableUK chief executive Hugh McNeal said: “The UK is putting offshore wind at the heart of our energy future and markets across the globe are following our lead.
“Other countries are racing to match world leaders like the UK, opening up opportunities for export and investment across the globe.”
He added: “Innovation in offshore wind will help transform the UK’s energy system and set global trends in new markets.”