China, UK lead operational wind energy capacity

Offshore staff

LONDON — UK offshore wind capacity at all stages of development now totals 99.8 GW from 130 projects, according to RenewableUK’s Energy Pulse data analysts.

This represents an increase of 14 GW over the past 12 months and includes 13.7 GW of fully operational capacity and a further 13.6 GW under construction, or with support secured for a route to market.

Globally, the offshore wind project pipeline is now 1,174 GW across 1,417 projects in 38 countries, the association added, up by 508 GW over the past 12 months, with new markets emerging in Australasia and South America.

Present global operational capacity is 60 GW, led by China with 47% (28.3GW), followed by the UK with 23% (13.7 GW). These two should retain first and second place until at least 2030.

RenewableUK’s chief executive Dan McGrail, however, warned, “The US and EU are offering massive financial incentives for developers to build renewable energy projects, while in the UK we’re being taxed more heavily than oil and gas companies. Unless we take bold action to attract billions in private investment, we risk being left behind in the years ahead; the money will simply go elsewhere and we’ll lose out on tens of thousands of jobs."

02.15.2023