Global offshore wind farm capacity has surpassed 80GW, marking a 15% increase from 2023, according to RenewableUK's (RUK) latest Offshore Wind EnergyPulse Insights report. The global capacity now stands at 80.9GW, up from 70.2GW last year.
The report highlights that China and the Netherlands were responsible for 63% of the new capacity, with China contributing 6.9GW and the Netherlands adding 1.7GW. This growth trend is expected to continue, as the global offshore wind project pipeline has expanded from 1,461 projects to 1,555 projects in the past year.
The number of countries involved in offshore wind has also grown, rising from 41 to 44, with new markets such as Indonesia, Chile, and Malta entering the sector in 2024. The offshore wind pipeline now includes projects at various stages of development, including fully operational, under construction, consented, in the planning system, and in early development.
China leads the global offshore wind sector with a pipeline of 247GW across 437 projects, followed by the UK with 96GW from 123 projects. The US ranks third with 79GW, while Germany (68GW) and Sweden (55GW) round out the top five.
The report also notes that 13 offshore wind projects in the UK, with a combined capacity of 7.3GW, are eligible to participate in the country's upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction (Allocation Round 7). In comparison, the total capacity of all offshore wind farms currently operating in UK waters stands at 14.7GW.
Each additional gigawatt of offshore wind capacity adds more than £2 billion to the UK economy, with over 34,000 people currently employed in the industry.
RenewableUK's Chief Executive, Dan McGrail, commented on the report, saying, “Our latest EnergyPulse Insights report shows that the global offshore wind market is continuing to grow at an extraordinary speed year after year, as more countries look to seize the industrial, economic and environmental opportunities which the technology offers.”
He further emphasized, “The UK remains a world leader in this race, and the Government could strengthen that position further in the coming months by maximising investment in new offshore wind capacity in this year's auction for new projects, as well as prioritising measures to support the growth of the UK supply chain in its upcoming Industrial Strategy.”
