The world has 21% more offshore wind capacity than a year ago

A new RenewableUK report shows that over the last year, offshore wind operational capacity has grown by 21%, from 61.5GW to 75GW.

The extra capacity, they point out, provides enough electricity to power more than 14 million UK homes for a year.

The report shows that China remains clearly out in front, with just short of half the World’s capacity. In second place, the UK’s capacity is more than the total of the next three combined.

• China  36.7GW
• UK  14.7GW
• Germany  8.3GW
• Netherlands  3.7GW
• Denmark  2.7GW

The report speculates that by 2030,  global operational offshore wind capacity could reach 277GW – four times its current level.

The total global pipeline (covering everything from fully operational wind projects to those which have just been granted planning permission) is made up of over 1,500 projects across 41 countries. At 1,231GW this represents a small increase on last year.

• China  227GW
• UK  96GW 
• USA  94GW
• Sweden  68GW 
• Brazil  61GW

The 15.8GW of offshore wind capacity that the UK currently has awaiting planning decisions is the highest amount ever seen at one time.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said: ‘It’s great to see we’ve reached a landmark 75 gigawatts of offshore wind operational worldwide, with the UK maintaining its place as a global leader in an intensely competitive international market.

‘To consolidate the UK’s position even further, we’re asking the next government to maximise the amount of offshore wind capacity we can secure in this year’s auction for new projects. 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.

‘It’s also significant that the UK has a record high of more than 15 gigawatts of new offshore wind capacity in planning. We’ll be urging the next government to reform the planning system to enable projects to go ahead in a more timely manner, to increase the UK’s energy security and drive down bills for consumers.’