Accelerating deployment of the backbone of our future energy system and maximising industrial benefits
Offshore wind
About offshore wind
The first offshore wind farm in the UK was built in 2000, off the coast of Northumberland. The UK is now a global leader in offshore wind with over 15GW of operating capacity, providing over 17% of the UK’s electricity needs. The UK has an ambitious target to deliver 43–50GW of offshore wind by 2030. Currently employing over 30,000 people across the UK, it’s anticipated that there will be over 100,000 people working in the sector by 2030, including in the development and operation of offshore wind farms and supply chain.
15 million
homes powered by offshore wind per year (2024)
over 16GW
of offshore wind currently installed
100,000+
jobs in offshore wind by 2030 – with the right action now
The floating wind opportunity
In 2017, the UK developed the world’s first wind farm on floating foundations off the coast of Scotland. We now have the largest pipeline of potential floating offshore wind projects in the world. We’re working to maximise the UK’s potential to build, assemble and manufacture floating offshore wind farms, giving UK companies a first-mover advantage in domestic and global markets.
Our work in offshore wind
We’re working to retain and capitalise on the UK’s world-leading position in offshore wind – making sure that the UK remains one of the most attractive destinations to invest. We’re constantly pushing for reforms that can accelerate the sector’s growth. We also want to build on the strengths of the UK’s workforce and supply chain, making sure that offshore wind grows consistently and sustainably, in a way that benefits the UK economy and society.
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Delivering the UK's offshore wind ambition
RenewableUK has a team working to support the Offshore Wind Industry Council – a partnership with Government to drive the development of offshore wind in the UK. You can learn more about this work at the OWIC website.