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Including projects at all stages of development, from planning through to operation, the global pipeline now stands at 1,174GW across 1,417 projects in 38 countries, according to trade organisation RenewableUK – an increase of 508GW over the past 12 months.
Released today (15 February), RenewableUK’s EnergyPulse data shows that the UK’s pipeline of offshore wind projects now stands at 99.8GW across 130 projects, an increase of 14GW. The total includes 13.7GW of fully operational capacity and a further 13.6GW under construction, or with support secured for a route to market.
The UK’s pipeline is 8.5% of the global total – the first time that it has fallen below 10%, as new markets have emerged in Australasia and South America.
Countries around the world have sought new streams of energy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, which has seen prices skyrocket.
Of the 60GW global operational capacity, China has almost half of the world’s offshore wind energy (47%). The UK kept its position in second with 23%.
The two markets accounted for 90% of the new offshore wind capacity that went operational in 2022 – 3.8GW in China and 3.2GW in the UK. The two countries are expected to retain first and second place in the rankings until at least 2030, RenewableUK said.
“It’s great to see the UK retaining a powerful position in offshore wind, second only to China,” said RenewableUK chief executive Dan McGrail.
“However, as our latest report shows, new markets are emerging fast in places like Australia and Brazil, so we can’t take our current status as a world leader for granted. The US and EU are offering massive financial incentives for developers to build renewable energy projects – while in the UK we’re being taxed more heavily than oil and gas companies.
“Unless we take bold action to attract billions in private investment, we risk being left behind in the years ahead – the money will simply go elsewhere and we’ll lose out on tens of thousands of jobs.”
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