Offshore wind capacity in the United Kingdom (UK) 2009-2023
The United Kingdom's offshore wind power capacity has experienced remarkable growth. Between 2009 and 2023, the cumulative installed capacity of offshore wind power in the UK rose from 951 megawatts to a peak of 14.7 gigawatts. The rapid expansion of offshore wind farms has positioned the UK as a global leader in harnessing wind energy from its coastal waters. In 2023, the country ranked as one of the countries with the highest offshore wind energy capacity worldwide, second only to China, which had roughly 37.8 gigawatts of offshore wind installations.
Onshore and offshore wind power production in the UK
While offshore wind capacity has grown significantly, onshore wind installations have also seen substantial development. The United Kingdom’s onshore wind capacity reached 15.4 gigawatts in 2023. Although onshore wind installations surpass that of offshore wind, the amount of energy generated at offshore wind energy sites is considerably higher. In 2023, offshore wind power production in the UK reached 49.7 terawatt hours, while onshore wind generation stood at 32.6 terawatt hours. This is due to the higher and more consistent wind speeds found at sea.
Wind energy's growing role in UK electricity generation
The expansion of wind power capacity has led to a significant increase in the share of electricity generated from wind energy in the UK. From less than three percent in 2010, wind energy's contribution to the country’s electricity mix surpassed ten percent in 2016 and reached a record high of 24.9 percent in 2022. This growth underscores the increasing importance of wind power in the UK's energy landscape. By 2030, the UK aims to reach a wind energy capacity of at least 69 gigawatts.
