European countries are among the most important markets for offshore wind energy worldwide. The first commercial offshore wind farm was installed in Denmark in 1999 and, since then, the sector has grown rapidly across the continent. As of end of 2023, Europe reached a
of 34 gigawatts, accounting for roughly 45 percent of the total offshore capacity in operation worldwide. The region’s
, and are key to progress towards a carbon-free energy system.
Leading offshore wind markets in Europe
The United Kingdom is the
country with the largest installed capacity of offshore wind energy across Europe. In 2023, the UK had over 14.7 gigawatts of offshore wind installations and was followed by Germany and the Netherlands with 8.5 and 4.7 gigawatts, respectively. Denmark, on the other hand, stands out as the
country with the highest penetration of offshore wind. In 2023, the share of offshore in Denmark’s electricity mix reached 24 percent. Meanwhile, Germany's offshore penetration accounted for roughly five percent that year.
Europe's offshore wind industry
Europe is home to some of the
largest companies in the offshore wind sector. Manufacturers Simens Gamesa and Vestas rank as the two leading offshore wind manufacturers worldwide, based on installed capacity. Furthermore, companies Ørsted, RWE, and Vattenfall are among the
largest offshore wind developers globally. Overall, the
revenue generated by offshore wind developers in Europe amounted to 11.4 billion euros in 2023, contributing significantly to the region's overall wind industry revenue.
European offshore targets and future outlook
In 2023, the European Union released its Wind Power Package, which includes a
target for offshore wind of reaching at least 111 gigawatts by 2030. To achieve this, the region will have to more than triple its installed capacity by the end of that year. By 2050, the EU plans to have a total offshore capacity of 317 gigawatts. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, aims to reach 50 gigawatts of offshore installations by 2030, increasing its capacity by 35 gigawatts. In the next years,
offshore wind capacity additions in Europe are forecast to range from 3.7 gigawatts in 2024 to 28.2 gigawatts in 2033.
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