Global capacity for fully operational offshore wind farms has reached 80.9 GW, a 15% rise from 70.2 GW a year ago.
That’s according to RenewableUK’s latest Offshore Wind EnergyPulse Insights report, which showed that two key markets contributed 63% of the additional capacity, with China adding 6.9 GW and the Netherlands 1.7 GW.
China also tops the global pipeline league table, boasting 247 GW across 437 offshore wind projects. While that is unsurprising, the UK thankfully retains second place with 96 GW across 123 projects, while the US is third (79 GW), Germany fourth (68 GW) and Sweden fifth (55 GW).
Reflecting the sector’s global momentum, the report shows the number of offshore wind projects at all stages of development has risen from 1,461 to 1,555 worldwide, with new markets in Indonesia, Chile, and Malta set to launch their first offshore wind ventures in 2024. Over the same period, the number of countries involved in the sector increased from 41 to 44.
Closer to home, 13 UK offshore wind projects, totalling 7.3 GW, are eligible to bid in this year’s Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction (Allocation Round 7). This compares with a total of 14.7 GW of offshore wind capacity currently in operation in UK waters. RenewableUK estimates each new gigawatt of offshore wind can add more than £2 billion to the British economy, with over 34,000 people already employed in the sector.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail, commented, “Our latest EnergyPulse Insights report shows that the global offshore wind market is continuing to grow at an extraordinary speed year after year, as more countries look to seize the industrial, economic and environmental opportunities which the technology offers.
“The UK remains a world leader in this race, and the Government could strengthen that position further in the coming months by maximising investment in new offshore wind capacity in this year’s auction for new projects, as well as prioritising measures to support the growth of the UK supply chain in its upcoming Industrial Strategy”.