UK secures record offshore wind capacity.
The UK has secured a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity in Europe’s largest auction to date. This marks the biggest single offshore wind procurement ever achieved in Britain and across Europe.
As a result, the UK moves closer to cutting its reliance on fossil fuels. At the same time, the outcome supports long-term energy security and lower household bills.
Major step toward clean power by 2030
The auction, known as Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7, will generate enough electricity to power around 12 million homes. Therefore, the UK remains firmly on track to meet its clean power target by 2030.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the result shows Britain is regaining control of its energy future. He added that clean, homegrown power offers a stable way to reduce bills while creating jobs across the country.
Offshore wind is cheaper than new gas.
New analysis published alongside the auction shows offshore wind now undercuts new gas generation on cost.
According to the latest figures, building and operating a new gas-fired power station costs £147 per megawatt hour. In comparison, fixed offshore wind projects secured in this auction averaged £90.91 per megawatt hour. That makes offshore wind around 40 percent cheaper than gas.
Because of this cost gap, offshore wind continues to play a central role in the UK’s future energy mix.
Investment and jobs across the UK
The auction will unlock around £22 billion in private investment. In turn, this funding is expected to support about 7,000 jobs nationwide, with strong benefits for industrial regions.
Winning projects span all parts of the UK, including:
- Dogger Bank South near Yorkshire and Norfolk Vanguard off East Anglia, among the world’s largest offshore wind farms
- Berwick Bank in the North Sea, the first new Scottish offshore wind project since 202,2 and the largest planned globally
- Awel Y Môr, the first Welsh offshore wind project to secure a contract in more than ten years
Together, these projects will support supply chains and regional growth for decades.
Progress in floating offshore wind
Beyond fixed projects, the auction also delivered momentum for floating offshore wind. This emerging technology positions the UK as a global leader in next-generation renewable energy.
As electricity demand continues to rise and is expected to more than double by 2050, these technologies will prove critical. Offshore wind, alongside solar and onshore wind, remains cheaper to build and run than gas power.
Building a secure energy future
Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control, said the UK secured a record level of capacity despite recent global pressures on the offshore wind sector. He noted that the results deliver strong value for consumers.
Looking ahead, the UK will need more offshore wind to meet growing demand. This auction, therefore, represents a major step toward clean, secure energy and reduced dependence on imported fuels.
