The UK Crown Estate has revealed two major strategies aimed at enhancing marine biodiversity and boosting key sectors, including offshore wind, carbon capture, and nature restoration. The Crown Estate seeks to lease 20-30GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 through its newly released “Marine Delivery Routemap” and “Future of Offshore Wind” report.
The Marine Delivery Routemap outlines a comprehensive, long-term framework for managing seabed use. This approach integrates economic activities such as carbon capture while addressing the need for nature restoration. Developed in collaboration with partners and agencies, the blueprint is designed to ensure transparency for developers and provide a foundation for investments in key infrastructure such as ports and supply chains.
The Crown Estate said it hopes the Routemap will accelerate the deployment of offshore wind by alleviating bottlenecks, such as consenting processes and grid connections. This initiative aligns with the recommendations from a 2022 report by Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winser. In line with this, the Crown Estate plans to release further updates across specific sectors to guide their development in the coming years.
The Future of Offshore Wind report, developed in partnership with Great British Energy, lays the groundwork for up to 30GW of offshore wind leasing opportunities by 2030. The bulk of this new capacity is expected to be concentrated in the Celtic Sea, along with regions off the coasts of north-east and south-west England. Smaller projects could emerge off Wales, north-west England, Yorkshire, and Lincolnshire.
The report also proposes ways to reduce risks for developers and expedite the delivery of wind farms by 2040. One key element is the Crown Estate's intention to take a more active role in funding enabling infrastructure, pending new legislation granting it broader borrowing and investment powers.
Gus Jaspert, Crown Estate marine managing director, emphasized the importance of a forward-looking strategy. “With increasing demands and pressures offshore, we need a forward plan to release the true potential of our seas,” he said.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed the plans, highlighting their significance for both the UK's energy security and environmental protection. “Our groundbreaking partnership between Great British Energy and the Crown Estate will not only be instrumental in supporting this vision for the UK's seabed, but it will also help leverage up to £60 billion of investment for our clean power mission,” Miliband stated.
Industry leaders, such as RenewableUK CEO Dan McGrail, expressed support for the Crown Estate's evolving role. “The industry is fully committed to building projects in an environmentally sensitive way which protects and enhances our rich marine biodiversity,” McGrail said, adding that the Crown Estate's vision would enable faster deployment of new renewable projects.
The Crown Estate's initiatives reflect the UK's growing ambition to balance environmental stewardship with expanding its renewable energy capabilities as part of its broader strategy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions.
