830 wind turbines are currently under construction off the UK and seven new sites are expected to reach first power by the end of the year, according to the Offshore Wind Operational Report published by The Crown Estate.
This level of development activity has not been seen since 2010, The Crown Estate said.
Investment opportunities and risk profiles in the offshore wind industry have started attracting a broader pool of investors to the sector, with pensions funds and corporates entering the market for the first time, including at the construction phase, the report said.
The industry has also lately seen examples of significant investment in operations and maintenance bases across a number of the UK’s regional ports and harbours, bringing local investment and job creation.
Huub den Rooijen, Director of Energy, Minerals & Infrastructure at The Crown Estate said: “2016 has been another strong year for the UK offshore wind sector, as demonstrated by this latest report, which helps open up some of the key lessons and trends from the past year, further arming the industry as it strives to take best advantage of the UK’s world-class offshore wind resource. Together with the conclusions of the latest CfD round in the months ahead, this report offers growing evidence of offshore wind’s competitiveness as a low-carbon energy resource.”
The report said that the UK currently has 1,463 offshore wind turbines in operation.