UK offshore wind reaches record high despite lower wind speeds

The latest Offshore Wind Report from UK seabed landlord the Crown Estate said offshore wind generated 45TWh of electricity last year, up from 37TWh in 2021, and representing a six-fold increase over the decade.

Offshore wind provided 14% of total UK electricity generation, compared with 38% from gas. This year, it is on course to generate enough electricity to meet the needs of nearly half of UK homes (47%).

Several large new projects became fully operational in 2022  – including the 1320MW Hornsea Project Two Hornsea Project Two (1320MW) Offshoreoff Yorkshire, UK, Europe Click to see full details, currently the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The UK capacity brought online last year accounted for 24% of the global total, second only to China, the report added. 

There are now 50 wind farms operating or under construction in UK waters. The country’s offshore pipeline also remains strong: eight projects still to start construction have contracts for difference while lease agreements were signed with the Crown Estate earlier this year for 8GW of Round 4 projects. The government’s target is for 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

Gus Jaspert, managing director for marine at the Crown Estate, said:  “We need to achieve more in the next decade than we have in the last two if we are to help the UK meet its clean, secure energy ambitions. With more demands than ever on the nation’s invaluable seabed, we must work across sectors to carefully plan how to unlock its full potential while supporting a thriving natural world for the benefit of the nation.”