Fully operational offshore wind farms globally have amassed capacity of 80.9 GW, a 15% increase on the total of 70.2 GW a year earlier, according to RenewableUK.
Of the newly added capacity, 63% came from China (6.9 GW) and the Netherlands (1.7 GW).
The upward trend will likely continue with the number of projects in the global offshore wind pipeline up from 1,461 to 1,555 over the past 12 months, with 44 countries now involved following recent confirmation of the first offshore wind projects in Chile, Indonesia and Malta.
Projects in the works include offshore wind farms at all stages: fully operational, under construction, consented, in the planning system, or in early development.
China dominates with a portfolio of 437 projects with a combined output of 247 GW, while the UK stays second with 96 GW from 123 projects.
In third place is the US with 79 GW, followed by Germany (68 GW) and Sweden (55 GW).
RenewableUK also noted that 13 UK offshore wind projects with a total capacity of 7.3 GW are eligible to bid in this year’s Contracts for Difference auction (Allocation Round 7) with a total capacity of 7.3 GW.
