Regen assesses whether the offshore wind development pipeline is sufficient to meet the UK’s 40 GW target and the implications of the Offshore Transmission Network Review.
Regen’s analysis suggests that, on paper, the offshore wind development pipeline should be able to meet the UK’s 40 GW by 2030 target. Success, however, will depend on a ramping up of deployment to 3 GW a year, and no delays to future projects caused by network infrastructure availability, supply chain constraints or planning delays. The UK will also need to consider a rapid Round 5 of leases to deliver the 50-65 GW that will be needed to decarbonise the power sector by 2035. Future lease rounds must also harness the floating wind opportunity in new areas of seabed, such as the Celtic Sea.
In this context, the move to a more strategic approach to offshore wind infrastructure development, introduced by the ongoing Offshore Transmission Network Review, is welcomed, though any delays to deployment must be avoided.
Offshore Transmission Network Review, consultation live: https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/offshore-transmission-network-review
Read Regen’s briefing note by clicking here.