The UK’s total pipeline of offshore wind projects now stands at 86GW, according to latest figures from RenewableUK.
The pipeline of projects is more than eight times our current operational capacity and it includes projects which are fully operational, under construction, consented, in the planning system or being developed for submission into planning.
The latest figure represents a 60% increase over the past 12 months, driven mainly by “massive leasing round announcements” by the Crown Estate (8GW) and Crown Estate Scotland (25GW).
The statistics, compiled for RenewableUK’s latest EnergyPulse report, also show that the total global offshore wind pipeline has reached 517GW.
China now has 24GW of fully operational capacity, compared to the UK’s 10.5GW, while the UK’s total pipeline of 86GW is bigger than China’s 75GW.
The US is in third place with 48GW in its pipeline.
RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail (pictured) said: “Our latest EnergyPulse report shows that the UK’s world-class offshore wind industry has taken huge strides forward in the past 12 months, with landmark leasing announcements adding an extra 33GW to our pipeline, and funding for floating wind ringfenced in the current CfD auction to help accelerate the growth of innovative technology.”
The report also analyses data on major components of UK offshore wind farms such as turbines, cables and substations and reveals shows that the average turbine capacity will increase from 8-9MW this year to 14-15MW by 2025.