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.
Orkney Council To Look At Proposals To Become Territory Of Norway
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.
This is the sub-heading.
The Orkney Islands could change their status in the UK or even become a self-governing territory of Norway under new proposals.
These paragraphs outline their possible strategy.
A motion will go before the council next week to investigate “alternative forms of governance”.
Council leader James Stockan said Orkney does not get fair funding with its current relationship within the UK.
He wants to look at Crown Dependencies like the Channel Islands and overseas territories like the Falkland Islands.
He suggested another possible future could be like the Faroe Islands – which is a self-governing territory of Denmark.
Councillor Stockan told BBC Radio Scotland there were many areas where Orkney was being “failed dreadfully” by both the UK and Scottish governments.
These are my thoughts.
Has Orkney Been Failed Dreadfully By The UK And Scottish Governments?
I wouldn’t be surprised, if the legal and economic framework between the Orkney, Scotland and the UK, dates back hundreds of years and didn’t really expect to see a more independent Scotland.
This is a quote from Council leader James Stockan.
And the funding we get from the Scottish government is significantly less per head than Shetland and the Western Isles to run the same services – we can’t go on as we are.
I could argue, they should be similar.
Orkney’s Income From Oil, Gas And Wind
Orkney doesn’t have Shetland’s oil, gas and wind infrastructure, so perhaps Scotland and the UK, think Orkney is the other’s problem.
Wind Development In Orkney, Shetland And The Western Isles
This map from Cross Estate Scotland shows all the wind contracts for Orkney, Shetland and The Western Isles.
These wind farms could send wind power to Orkney.
- 7 – Ayre – 1008 MW
- 13 – West of Orkney – 2000 MW
That is a total of 3008 MW.
These wind farms could send wind power to Shetland.
- 18 – Ocean Winds – 500 MW
- 19 – Arven – 1800 MW
- 20 – ESB Asset Development – 500 MW
That is a total of 2800 MW.
These wind farms could send wind power to the Western Isles.
- 14 – Havbredey – 1400 MW
- 15 – N3 Project – 495 MW
- 16 – Spiorad na Mara – 840 MW
That is a total of 2735 MW.
On this quick look, it does appear that there is a fair balance of investment in wind power between Orkney, Shetland and The Western Isles.
The Flotta Hydrogen Hub
The Flotta Hydrogen Hub is being planned and it has its own web site.
It looks like it will be linked to the West of Orkney wind farm.
The Ferries
CouncilStockan says this about the ferries.
We are really struggling at the moment, we have to replace the whole ferry fleet which is older than the CalMac fleet.
And it is well-known, that the Scottish Nationalist Party got into a muddle with ferries.
Conclusion
If you read the Wikipedia entry for Orkney, the islands would appear to have a sound future, based on hydrogen, tourism and wind.
I would hope that a discussion around some good local food and the local whisky could sort out Otkney’s worries.
Irish ESB Joins Northland Power On Two Scottish Offshore Wind Projects
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on offshoreWIND.biz.
This is the sub-heading.
ESB will acquire a 24.5 per cent interest in Northland Power’s ScotWind projects, the fixed-bottom offshore wind farm Spiorad na Mara and the floating wind project Havbredey. Northland will retain 75.5 per cent in each project and continue to lead their development, construction, and operation
This is the first paragraph.
The companies have signed definitive agreements on ESB’s purchase of project stakes, with all commitments made prior to the agreements to remain in place.
Last month, I wrote ESB Invests In Floating Offshore Wind Mooring Tech. so are they in acquisitive mode?
This map from Cross Estate Scotland shows all the ScotWind contracts.
ESB now lrasr the following stakes in ScotWind.
Their details are as follows.
- 14 – Havbredey – Floating – 1500 MW – 25 %
- 16 – Spiorad na Mara – Fixed – 840 MW – 25 %
- 20 – Unnamed – Floating – 500 MW – 100 %
These figures mean they lease about a GW.
I have my thoughts.
Will There Be A Multi-Purpose Interconnector between Ireland And Scotland?
Nothing has been mentioned yet, but could new wind farms om the future to the West of the Hebrides be connected to both the North of Scotland and the North of Ireland by a multi-purpose interconnector?
The Anonymous Widower 