World’s offshore wind capacity hits 75 GW - RenewableUK

The global offshore wind operational capacity has now reached 75 GW, an increase by 21% over the last 12 months, according to a report published today by RenewableUK.

China has the most offshore wind in operation - 36.7 GW, followed by the UK with 14.7 GW, Germany with 8.3 GW, the Netherlands with 3.7 GW and Denmark with 2.7 GW.

According to the report, the world’s operational offshore wind capacity could expand to 277 GW by the end of 2030.

The global pipeline of projects at all stages of development, from early stage to operational, has inched up to 1,231 GW from 1,228 GW a year ago. It is led by China with 227 GW, followed by the UK with 96 GW across 122 projects, the US with 94 GW, Sweden with 68 GW and Brazil with 61 GW.

The report further says that 10.8 GW of UK offshore wind is eligible to participate in this year’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction (AR6), including 12 fixed-foundation projects and four floating projects.

With the average project taking five years to become fully operational after the CfD award, the capacity awarded in the next two allocation rounds can contribute to the UK’s target of 50 GW by 2030, RenewableUK said. The report projects that almost 44 GW could be operational in the UK by the end of 2030, including capacity from partially operational projects.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail called on the next government to maximise the amount of offshore wind capacity that can be secured this year’s auction. “The current budget will only enable less than half the capacity which is eligible to go ahead, and the floating wind budget will only secure one project even though four can bid in this year, so we need to see more ambition within the first few days of the new government taking office,” he said.

The report is being released ahead of RenewableUK’s Global Offshore Wind 2024 conference and exhibition in Manchester.

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