News From Four Big Projects On The 15th May 2026
Are things hotting up in the offshore wind business in the UK? Or is it just a coincidence?
But these four projects were all announced on the 15th May 2026.
Aberdeenshire Council Greenlights Onshore Plans For 1 GW Scottish Floating Wind Project
The Buchan Offshore Wind consortium, comprising BayWa r.e., Elicio, and BW Ideol, has received planning consent from Aberdeenshire Council for the onshore infrastructure that will connect the proposed 1 GW Buchan floating wind farm to the grid. Commissioning in 2033.
Ocean Winds Receives Full Onshore Planning Consent for 2 GW Caledonia Offshore Wind Farm
Ocean Winds, a 50-50 joint venture owned by EDP Renewables and ENGIE, has received full onshore planning consent for its 2 GW Caledonia offshore wind farm following approval by Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee on 14 May. Commissioning in 2032.
UK Grants Development Consent For 3 GW Dogger Bank South Offshore Wind Project.
The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has granted development consent for two Dogger Bank South (DBS) offshore wind farms, Dogger Bank South West and Dogger Bank South East, which are planned to have a combined installed capacity of 3 GW. Commissioning in 2031 (DBS West) and 2032 (DBS East).
RWE and SSE Secure Consent For 1 GW North Falls Offshore Wind Farm
The North Falls Offshore Wind Farm joint venture between RWE and SSE Renewables has been granted development consent for its 1 GW project by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DSNEZ). Commissioning in 2030.
It looks like another 7 GW of onshore wind is on its way! The commissioning dates are my best estimates based on past history.
Digger Engines Drive JCB’s Attempt On Hydrogen-Powered Land Speed Record
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article in The Times.
This is the sub-heading.
The Hydromax is expected to exceed 350mph on Bonneville Salt Flats in August in a vehicle driven by the fastest man on earth — Wing Commander Andy Green
These three paragraphs introduce the story.
The British construction firm JCB will attempt to break the world hydrogen-powered land speed record this summer, using engines from the company’s latest diggers.
The record attempt will take place at the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the 300mph barrier in 1935 with Blue Bird.
The vehicle, driven by the fastest man on earth — Wing Commander Andy Green OBE — is a bespoke streamliner dubbed the JCB Hydromax.
My first job on leaving Liverpool University with a degree in Control Engineering, was in ICI’s hydrogen plant at Runcorn.
In those days, ICI had little use for the gas and except for use as a feedstock for some niche and unusual products, and research all over the country, most of the gas produced was mixed with coal gas and sent down the power station to raise steam.
But talk around the Research Department on Runcorn Heath and some older employees had memories from World War II of hydrogen being used in transport experiments.
I asked Google AI,”Was Research In World War II In The UK Done Into Hydrogen Powered Vehicles?” and received this answer.
Yes, research and development into hydrogen-powered systems were conducted in the UK during World War II, primarily focused on fuel cells for submarines rather than hydrogen-powered road vehicles, which were more commonly powered by “coal gas” or “producer gas”.
So I suspect Runcorn provided the hydrogen for the research.
In Sutton Station To Gatwick Airport By Hydrogen-Powered Bus, I describe how I made the trip to the airport in a hydrogen-powered bus. And all for free because I have a Freedom Pass and in a mouse-quiet vehicle!
These buses from Wrightbus in Northern Ireland are superb influences for the use of hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel.
Hopefully, the JCB Hydromax will persuade more people to think positively of hydrogen.
I wish Lord Bamford and his team, the best of luck.
UK Offshore Wind In 2030 – Calculated May 2026
The next general election is likely to be held in 2029, so how much wind energy will be added during the next Parliament?
The Current Position
The Wikipedia entry for the list of operational wind farms in the UK, says this.
In July 2025, there were offshore wind farms consisting of 2,809 turbines with a combined capacity of 16,035 megawatts.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2026
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2026.
- Doggerbank A – 1235 MW – Fixed
- Sofia – 1400 MW – Fixed
This would add 2635 MW to give a total of 18,670 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2027
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2027.
- Doggerbank B – 1235 MW – Fixed
- Doggerbank C – 1218 MW – Fixed
- East Anglia 1 North – 800 MW – Fixed
- East Anglia 2 – 900 MW – Fixed
- East Anglia 3 – 1372 MW – Fixed
- Hornsea 3 – 2852 MW – Fixed
- Llŷr 1 – 100 MW – Floating
- Llŷr 2 – 100 MW – Floating
- Norfolk Boreas – 1380 MW – Fixed
- Pentland – 100 MW – Floating
- Whitecross – 100 MW – Floating
This would add 10157 MW to give a total of 28,827 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2028
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2028.
- Morecambe – 480 MW – Fixed
This would add 480 MW to give a total of 29,307 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2029
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2029.
- West Of Orkney – 2000 MW – Fixed
This would add 2000 MW to give a total of 31,307 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2030
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2030.
- Ramplion 2 Extension – 1200 MW – Fixed
- Norfolk Vanguard East – 1380 MW – Fixed
- Norfolk Vanguard West – 1380 MW – Fixed
- Awel y Môr – 1100 MW – Fixed
- Berwick Bank – 4100 MW – Fixed
- Outer Dowsing – 1500 MW – Fixed
- Caledonia – 2000 MW – Fixed
- N3 Project – 495 MW – Fixed/Floating
- North Falls – 504 MW – Fixed
This would add 14,659 MW to give a total of 45.966 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2031
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2031.
- Awel y Môr – 775 MW – Fixed
- Berwick Bank – 1380 MW – Fixed
- Dogger Bank SW – 1500 MW – Fixed
- Spiorad na Mara – 840 MW – Mixed
This would add 4,495 MW to give a total of 50,461 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2032
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2032.
- Caledonia – 2000 MW – Fixed
- Dogger Bank SE – 1500 MW – Fixed
This would add 3,500 MW to give a total of 53,961 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2033
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2033.
- Ayre 1008 MW – Fixed
- Bowdun – 1008 MW – Fixed
- Buchan – 960 MW – Floating
This would add 2,976 MW to give a total of 56,937 MW.
Due To Be Commissioned In 2036
It would appear these wind farms will come on-line in 2033.
- Havbredey – 1,500 MW – Fixed
This would add 1,500 MW to give a total of 58,437 MW.
Capacity Summary
- 2025 – None – 16,035 MW
- 2026 – 2635 MW – 18,670 MW
- 2027 – 10157 MW – 28,827 MW
- 2028 – 480 MW – 29,307 MW
- 2029 – 3500 MW – 31,307 MW
- 2030 – 14155 MW – 45.462 MW
- 2031 – 4,495 MW – 50,461 MW
- 2032 – 3,500 MW – 53,961 MW
- 2033 – 2,976 MW – 56,937 MW
- 2036 – 1,500 MW – 58437 MW
We’re still be adding capacity into the 2030s.
Campaign Saves Airport Upgrade After Reform Council Threatened Funding Cut
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article from Construction News.
These three paragraphs introduce the story.
A campaign by a coalition of interests has protected £57m of council funding for an upgrade to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which was at risk.
The GMB union said Reform councillors had threatened to cancel the loan for upgrades to the airport, but that a campaign by unions, workers and politicians had resolved the situation.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed since 2022, when its then owner Peel Group said the site was “not commercially viable”.
Does this mean that Reform UK want Doncaster Sheffield Airport?
The BBC and ITVX seem to be saying that the loan will go ahead.
Are Centrica Entering The Bunkering Market For Lowcarbon-Fuelled Ships?
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, Centrica is actively entering the low-carbon shipping fuel market, specifically by strengthening its ability to supply bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) for the shipping industry.
Key developments in 2026 indicate a strategic push into this sector:
Bio-LNG Expansion: Centrica Energy has strengthened its bio-LNG bunker fuel offering through ISCC certification.
Strategic Partnerships: Centrica is supporting Gasrec in the UK to supply bio-LNG and bio-CNG to fleets, and is investing in large-scale carbon storage at Morecambe Bay, which can serve shipping.
Decarbonisation Focus: This move aligns with Centrica’s target to become a net-zero business by 2040 and to support customer emission reductions.
This could be a nice little business.
Could A Gluten-Free Version Of The M & S Microwavable Full English Breakfast Be Created?
This link shows the product on the Ocado web site.
These are some details about the product.
- It costs £4
- It lasts two days including the delivery day.
- In How Much Vitamin B12 Is There In A Leon Full English Breakfast Egg Pot?, I got Google AI to analyse one of Leon’s very similar egg pots and these contain a good dose of B12.
These are the ingredients.
Baked Beans (50%) (Haricot Beans · Tomato Paste · Water · Sugar · Cornflour · Salt · Vinegar · Dried Onions · Natural Colour: Paprika Extract · Ground Paprika · Natural Flavouring · Garlic Extract · Onion Oil · Vegetable Oil (Sunflower/Rapeseed)) · British Pork Chipolata Sausages (20%) (Pork (73%) · Water · Wheatflour* · Pea Protein Isolate · Dextrose · Wheat Starch · Salt · Ground Spices (White Pepper · Black Pepper · Coriander · Mace · Nutmeg) · Dried Onions · Salt · Yeast Extract · Dried Sage · Raising Agent: E503) · Poached Egg (18%) · Chestnut Mushrooms (7%) · Smoked British Bacon (2.5%) (Pork Belly (made with 185g of Raw Pork per 100g of Cooked Bacon) · Curing Salt (Salt · Preservative: Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite) · Sugar · Natural Flavouring · Antioxidant: E301) · Rapeseed Oil · Salt · Coarse Black Pepper.
Sausages filled into natural pork collagen casings.
*Fortified with Calcium, Iron, Vitamins B3, B1 and Folic Acid.For allergens, including cereals containing Gluten, see ingredients in bold.
Note the added gluten, which can be swapped for a gluten-free flour.
How I Would Use These Meals
I was told by Addenbrooke ‘s Hospital, when I was first diagmosed as a coeliac to always start the day with a good meal, as if you are travelling the next meal might not be easy to find.
Given the rate at which coeliac-friendly restaurants are closing, no dietician ever made a better prediction.
So if say I was going to Liverpool for the day, I could put one of these in my fridge and have a good breakfast before I leave home. This also means I can leave home earlier and catch an earlier train.
Could Tennis Help The Symptoms Of Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticulitis?
When I used to play real tennis a very regularly, I didn’t seem to get the angry gut, I have now.
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
Yes, playing tennis can help manage the symptoms of uncomplicated pancolonic diverticulitis as part of an active lifestyle, though it is best suited for the prevention of flare-ups rather than treatment during an active attack.
Regular, moderate-to-vigorous exercise like tennis has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of developing diverticulitis.
How Tennis Helps DiverticulitisReduces Risk of Attacks:
Studies show that vigorous activity, such as tennis, can reduce the risk of developing diverticulitis by up to 27%), as mentioned in research published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases.
Improves Bowel Function: Regular exercise helps keep bowels moving, which helps prevent constipation—a major contributing factor to diverticular pain.
Reduces Inflammation: Regular, moderate-intensity physical activity (which can include tennis) has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Weight Management: Exercise helps manage weight, reducing obesity, which is a major risk factor for complicated diverticular disease.
My exercise levels have certainly dropped since I had the stroke and moved to London.
Could Horseriding Help The Symptoms Of Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticulitis?
When I used to ride horses a small amount, I didn’t seem to get the angry gut, I have now.
I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this answer.
While there is no direct scientific evidence regarding horseriding specifically, general physical activity and exercise are strongly recommended for managing and preventing the symptoms of uncomplicated diverticulitis.
Regular exercise helps to increase bowel motility (movement), which can help reduce the pressure within the colon that contributes to diverticular symptoms.
Here is how physical activity, including potentially activities like horseriding, can play a role in managing this condition:
Benefits of Regular Exercise on Diverticular Symptoms
Reduced Risk: Studies show that regular, vigorous activity can decrease the risk of developing diverticulitis.
Improved Digestion: Exercise encourages regular bowel movements, preventing the constipation that often exacerbates diverticular pain.
Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces pressure on the colon, which is beneficial for managing diverticular disease.
Important Considerations for Horseriding
Gentle Movement vs. Jarring: While light-to-moderate, regular activity is beneficial, you should ensure that the activity does not cause sharp pain or excessive stress on the abdominal area, especially if you have had recent symptoms.
Individual Tolerance: The key is to engage in regular exercise that you enjoy and that your body tolerates well.
When to Avoid Exercise
If you are experiencing an acute flare-up of diverticulitis (fever, severe abdominal pain), you should avoid strenuous exercise, rest, and follow your doctor’s advice, which often involves a liquid or low-fiber diet.
Could Uncomplicated Pancolonic Diverticulitis Cause The Constant Pain In My Hip Joints?
It’s not chronic pain, but I must have had it for at least forty years.
So what does Google AI make of my question?
It gave me this answer.
Yes, it is possible for uncomplicated pancolonic diverticulitis (inflammation throughout the entire colon) to cause constant pain in your hip joints.
While diverticulitis is primarily a gastrointestinal issue, it can cause referred pain to the hips and legs or trigger systemic inflammation that affects joints.
Here is how your condition might be linked to your hip pain:
1. Referred Pain (Nerve Pathway Irritation)
The inflammation from a diverticulitis flare-up can irritate nearby nerves that connect to the hip, thigh, or groin area.
Location: While classic diverticulitis causes left-side abdominal pain, a severe or widespread (pancolonic) flare can cause “referred pain” in the lower back, hip, and thigh.
Constant nature: If the underlying inflammation remains active, this pain can feel constant rather than intermittent.
2. Systemic Inflammation and “Diverticulitis-Associated Arthritis”
Rarely, active diverticulitis can trigger a form of inflammatory arthritis, acting as an extra-intestinal manifestation of the disease.
Migrating Pain: This can cause joint pain and stiffness in larger joints, including the hips, knees, and ankles.
Connection: As the gut inflammation resolves with proper care (antibiotics/diet), the joint pain often improves.
3. Anatomical Proximity
The colon sits in close proximity to the musculoskeletal structures of the pelvis, including the iliopsoas muscles (hip flexors).Inflammation in the colon can cause swelling that affects these muscles, leading to pain in the hip region, particularly with movement.
That looks like a possibility to me!
But it needs more investigation.
Does The UK Need More Passenger Train Capacity Between London And Scotland?
I went from London Euston to Wigan North Western and Blackpool North stations on Wednesday.
Just after the Bank Holiday, the train to the North, which was going to Glasgow Central, seemed fairly busy, but I suspect that a few more souls could have been squeezed in.
Coming South in the early evening, there was a lot more space, but those that had gone to Scotland for the Bank Holiday weekend had probably returned.
At the moment, I am getting a lot of adverts like this, when I read The Times on-line.
It looks to me, that Avanti West Coast, are ecouraging travellers to use trains to travel to and from Glasgow.
How Many Anglo-Scottish Trains Are There?
- Avanti West Coast – 6 tpd – London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley via Birmingham New Street
- Avanti West Coast – 6 tpd – London Euston to Glasgow Central via Birmingham New Street
- Avanti West Coast – 1 tph – London Euston to Glasgow Central via Trent Valley
- CrossCountry – 1 tph – Plymouth to Edinburgh Waverley
- LNER – 2 tph – London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- Lumo – 6 tpd – London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street
- Lumo – 4 tpd – London Euston to Stirling
- TransPennine Express – 1 tp2h – Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central
- TransPennine Express – 1 tp2h – Manchester Airport to Edinburgh Waverley
- TransPennine Express – 4 tpd – Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central
Note.
- tpd is trains per day.
- tph is trains per hour.
- tp2h is trains per two hours.
- The two Avanti West Coast services via Birmingham New Street alternate.
- The Avanti West Coast London Euston to Glasgow Central via Trent Valley service runs 15 tpd.
- The two TransPennine Express services from Manchester Airport to Scotland alternate.
My initial estimate is that there are 5 x 15 tph +16 tpd or 91 tpd.
How Many Anglo-Scottish Trains Are There On HS2?
In the original design for HS2, this was the service pattern.
Note.
- Train 10 runs hourly between London and Scotland via Old Oak Common and Preston and splits at Carlisle with one train serving Edinburgh Waverley and the other Glasgow Central.
- Train 11 runs hourly between London and Scotland via Old Oak Common, Birmingham Interchange and Preston and splits at Carlisle with one train serving Edinburgh Waverley and the other Glasgow Central.
- Train 12 runs hourly between Birmingham Curzon Street and Scotland and serves Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central alternatively.
It looks like HS2 contributes 5 tph between England and Scotland or 75 tpd.
But as HS2 is currently configured, these Anglo-Scottish trains will still run.
- CrossCountry – 1 tph – Plymouth to Edinburgh Waverley
- LNER – 2 tph – London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- Lumo – 6 tpd – London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street
- Lumo – 4 tpd – London Euston to Stirling
- TransPennine Express – 1 tp2h – Manchester Airport to Glasgow Central
- TransPennine Express – 1 tp2h – Manchester Airport to Edinburgh Waverley
- TransPennine Express – 4 tpd – Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central
If these trains continue to run my estimate is that there will be 4 x 15 tph +14 tpd or 74 tpd by classic routes.
This will mean 149 Anglo-Scottish tpd in total.
How Do You Get Between Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield and Hull, and Scotland?
If you look at the diagram, which shows the service pattern for HS2, note the following.
- HS2 does not provide a service between Leeds, York, Durham, Darlington and Newcastle, and Scotland.
- HS2 doesn’t connect to Bradford.
- HS2 doesn’t go past Leeds, but the current LNER services also serve Bradford Forster Square, Harrogate, Shipley and Skipton stations.
There is also no direct trains from the Leeds/Bradford area to Glasgow.
But Consider.
- The Settle and Carlisle Line runs between Skipton and Carlisle and used to host the Thames-Clyde Expresses that were run by the London Midland & Scottish Railway.
- The Wikipedia entry for the Thames-Clyde Express is an interesting read.
- Bradford Forster Square station was recently extended with two platforms , that can handle 10-car trains.
- Bradford Forster Square station has seven trains per day from London via Leeds.
- With a reverse at Bradford Forster Square station trains can call at Leeds, Bradford Forster Square and Skipton stations before taking the Settle and Carlisle Line to Carlisle.
- The Thames-Clyde Express used to take the Glasgow South Western Line to Glasgow Central calling at Dumfries and Kilmarnock.
- LNER’s Class 897 tri-mode trains will probably be able to handle the Settle and Carlisle and the Glasgow South Western Line, without using the diesel engines.
- East Midlands Railway’s Class 810 trains, when fitted with batteries, should probably be able to do the same.
There are a lot of possibilities of how the Settle and Carlisle Line can be used to increase zero-carbon connectivity between Glasgow and London.
The route wouldn’t be the fastest route, but it could be one of the most scenic.
The Anonymous Widower 