The global pipeline of offshore wind projects has almost doubled over the past twelve months, from 429GW in mid-2021 to 846GW now.
RenewableUK’s latest EnergyPulse market intelligence data report shows China has the biggest offshore wind project pipeline at 98GW, the UK is in second place at 91GW (up from 55GW a year ago), the US is third with 80GW and Germany is fourth with 57GW.
Other countries with major pipelines include Brazil, Sweden, Ireland, Vietnam and South Korea.
Europe has a pipeline of 350GW (with 26GW fully operational) and the pipeline in countries outside Europe stands at 496GW.
In terms of operational capacity, China leads with 24.5GW, the UK is second at 10.5GW, Germany third with 7.7GW, rhe Netherlands fourth at 3GW and Denmark fifth with 2.3GW.
RenewableUK’s analysis found the UK has the biggest pipeline of floating projects in the world at 32GW, while Sweden is second at 25GW, Taiwan third with 21GW, Ireland fourth at 16GW and South Korea fifth at 16GW.
The UK also has the biggest operational floating capacity at 80MW, with two floating wind farms generating in Scottish waters.
RenewableUK CEO Dan McGrail said: “The global growth of offshore wind over the last year is nothing short of staggering.
“Our EnergyPulse report shows that this technology is now a truly global industry, not just in Europe and Asia, but also with major projects underway in North and South American and Australia.”
He added: “It’s great to see that the UK has the biggest global pipeline of floating projects, as this will prove to be a gamechanger in reaching net zero faster, as well as creating opportunities for us to export innovative British technology all over the world, building up new supply chains.”
The report, which is free to RenewableUK members, is being released at RenewableUK’s Global Offshore Wind conference and exhibition in Manchester.