Additional 32GW in UK waters

The world’s biggest expansion of wind energy attracts investment.

The Crown Estate (TCE) has granted energy companies the right to develop the biggest expansion of wind energy ever seen in the world. This gives the potential for an additional 32GW of clean electricity capacity feeding into the UK grid, on top of the 8GW of capacity expected from previous rounds.

32GW is enough offshore wind energy to supply nearly all the annual electricity consumption of homes in the UK and will mean an extra 6,400 turbines. According to TCE, investment in UK offshore wind overall could be worth £75 billion and support up to 70,000 jobs by 2020; substantially strengthening the UK’s long term energy and climate security.

The next generation of offshore wind farms that will be developed under the licenses are expected to require larger and more efficient turbines, capable of generating 5MW of power.

Ministers including Ed Miliband will be jointly hosting events with The Crown Estate around the country that bring together developers and UK businesses.

The Crown Estate Supply Chain events

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who met The Crown Estate with Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Miliband, said:

“Our policies in support of offshore wind energy have already put us ahead of every other country in the world.  This new round of licences provides a substantial new platform for investing in UK industrial capacity. The offshore wind industry is at the heart of the UK economy’s shift to low carbon. The Government will work with developers and The Crown Estate to support the growing offshore wind industry and help remove barriers to rapid development.”

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said:

“Our island has one of the best wind energy resources in Europe and there’s a huge appetite for capacity to be built here. The UK is ready to harness opportunities for business and new green jobs. We did it before with oil and gas in the North Sea and we’ll do it again for offshore wind”