A new report published today by RenewableUK shows that the total pipeline of floating offshore wind projects has grown from 185GW a year ago to 244GW now – a 32% increase.
The number of projects has increased globally during that time from 230 to 285.
The pipeline includes projects at any stage: fully operational, under construction, approved, in the planning system awaiting a decision or at an early stage of development.
The EnergyPulse Insights report was compiled by RenewableUK’s data analysts to coincide with the opening of its 2-day Floating Offshore Wind 2023 conference and exhibition in Aberdeen.
So far, 227MW of floating wind are fully operational across 14 projects in 7 countries.
Norway has the most with 94MW across 3 projects.
The UK is second with 80MW (2 projects), Portugal has 25MW (1 project) and China is fourth with 19MW across 3 projects. Japan has 5MW (2 projects), Spain 2.225MW (2 projects) and France 2MW (1 project).
Globally, 46MW of projects are under construction (3 projects), 576MW are consented or in the pre-construction phase (11 projects).
In addition, 68GW are in the planning system or have a lease agreement (80 projects), and 175GW are in early development or applying for a lease (177 projects), according to RenewableUK.
Nearly two-thirds of floating wind capacity announced so far worldwide are being developed in European waters (160GW), 14% is in the UK (35GW – of which 29GW is in Scottish waters).
Outside Europe, projects are being developed mainly off the west coast of the USA, the southeast coast of Australia and South Korea.
Although Italy has the largest project pipeline (40,071MW), nearly all its 47 projects are at an early stage of development, with only one (90MW) submitted into the planning system so far.