The UK offshore wind industry is preparing for further growth supported by a range of new approaches and commitments introduced in 2023, according to The Crown Estate’s latest UK Offshore Wind Report 2023.
Credit: Marine Directorate Image Bank
The report contains a series of updates from offshore wind performances, farm ownership, data and evidence, and investment and market alongside the challenges faced by the sector as well as challenges such as grid capacity.
Records
UK offshore wind is the second largest offshore wind market in the world and represents more than 40% of European offshore wind capacity. The pipeline grew by a further 10GW in 2023, to 93GW, and the sector produced 49TWh of electricity last year, enough to power the equivalent of 50% of UK homes. Since the first turbines were installed roughly 25 years ago, it is estimated that 125GW could be needed by 2050 to meet net zero.
As the sector develops and expands, new records have been achieved, including:
- UK offshore wind energy now makes up 17% of total UK electricity generated, up from 14% in 2022
- 43% of all European offshore wind capacity is now hosted within UK waters
Alongside new records, developments in supporting the sector furthered the sector’s growth, such as:
- Shortening the time between leasing rounds –Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 was brought to market within a year of signing Round 4 Agreements for Lease.
- A commitment to develop a Marine Delivery Route map with partners – enabling The Crown Estate and others to forward plan how the seabed is managed support nature recovery, jobs and regeneration, and net zero priorities.
- Scotland saw the Seagreen Phase 1 project completed commissioning works in October 2023, with all 114 turbines successfully installed and generating. This wind farm is the largest in Scotland, with an installed capacity of 1,075MW, and is currently the world’s deepest fixed bottom offshore wind farm with the deepest foundation installed at 58.6m below sea level.
Collaboration
Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine, The Crown Estate, said:
“2023 was a landmark year for the UK offshore wind sector as it generated record levels of green electricity, enough to power half of all UK homes, and continued to grow the pipeline of offshore wind farms despite challenging economic conditions.
With it’s £16 billion portfolio, the Crown Estate states it’s role is to “create long-term value for the country, focuses on using the land and seabed it manages to help catalyse net zero, restore nature, create thriving communities and drive economic growth. The seabed is key to achieving these ambitions and the UK Offshore Wind Report provides an insight into how careful management of the seabed is helping the nation rise to these challenges”.
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