The UK installed more than 2GW of new offshore wind capacity in 2018, a record-breaking volume, according to RenewableUK.
R-UK said eight new offshore wind farms were opened this year adding 2121MW of new capacity, which is almost double the previous record of 1154MW set in 2012.
It added that the achievement was reached with the addition of just 18% more turbines than were installed in 2012 – 367 machines compared with 309.
“Since 2012, the average capacity of an offshore turbine has grown over 50% from 3.7MW to 5.8MW this year,” R-UK said.
New projects in 2018 included the 659MW Walney 3 (pictured), 573MW Race Bank and 400MW Rampion developments, it said.
Orsted UK managing director Matthew Wright said: “The UK is making great progress in decarbonising its electricity system, smashing records in coal-free generation last year, largely thanks to a growth in renewables, and continuing the transformation this year with record growth in offshore wind.
“This year, we completed construction of two major offshore wind farms, including Walney Extension, the biggest in the world, and we’re now constructing Hornsea 1 off the Yorkshire Coast which, at around double the size, will take the title in 2020.
“Rapid growth in this clean-tech industry is set to continue as we work with the government to finalise an offshore wind sector deal, which could mean that, by 2030, one third of the UK’s electricity could come from offshore wind.”
R-UK executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “We’re thrilled that we’ve absolutely smashed previous records and installed more new offshore wind power stations than ever before.
“This is just the beginning of the great shift to renewables. By 2030, offshore wind could be generating more than a third of the UK’s entire electricity needs, with 30GW up and running. The industry would attract £48bn in investment by the end of the next decade and employ 27,000 people in highly-skilled jobs.
“Offshore wind has brought the UK jobs, lower bills and renewable energy. It’s offering even more to the UK in the anticipated offshore wind sector deal, which the government has said it wants to finalise by Christmas.”