The UK has grown to become the number one offshore wind market, in terms of both capacity and investment opportunity.
The UK currently has 5.1 GW of operational offshore wind capacity, 308 MW under construction. It has approximately 40% of Europe’s entire wind resource and has significant potential for both onshore and offshore wind energy.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) estimates that around £100bn of investment is required to replace ageing energy assets and meet Government objectives for energy sector decarbonisation. The European Union’s 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets a target for the UK to achieve 15% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This provides a framework for development of renewable energy projects. Offshore wind has been upheld as a key technology to meet renewables targets.
