There were 1931 fully operational offshore wind turbines at the end of December 2018 with a combined capacity of 7905MW, according to a new report from the Crown Estate.
The seventh annual ‘Offshore Wind Operational Report’ said a further 992 machines were under construction, representing another 5762MW.
A further 448MW of offshore wind capacity has also secured a Contract for Difference.
Thirty-eight offshore wind farms are now operational off the coast of the UK, with a further seven under construction.
UK offshore capacity accounts for 43% of the 18.5GW operating across Europe, the report noted.
Over 1GW of new capacity was commissioned in the UK last year, it added.
The sector supplied an estimated 8% of the country’s electricity generation, meeting the equivalent needs of over a quarter of all homes.
Overall, some 26.6 terrawatt-hours of electricity was generated by UK offshore wind farms in 2018.
Crown Estate head of energy, minerals and infrastructure – offshore assets Adrian Fox said: “After years of strong growth, 2018 was the year that offshore wind entered the Premier League.
“As this report highlights, offshore wind has become a large scale, responsible and reliable provider of low-carbon electricity, and with the continued policy support and ambitious vision established in the recent sector deal, it looks certain to progress from strength to strength.”