The British Crown Estate’s latest annual offshore wind operational report published yesterday has revealed that 2017 was the busiest year yet for the sector.
Separate figures for the Scottish offshore wind-ustry were not provided by the Crown Estate.
During the year, seven windfarms began generating and four became fully operational, helping to deliver over half of all the new capacity built in Europe last year.
The sector supplied the electricity needs of 5.3 million homes (around 20% of the UK total) – indicating a ‘maturing sector’
And by the end of 2017, there were 33 fully operational offshore wind farms (1,762 turbines) in UK waters, with a further eight windfarms under construction, setting the sector on track to grow its contribution to the UK’s electricity supply to 10% by 2020.
Huub den Rooijen, a Crown Estate spokesman, said: “2017 has been a milestone year for the UK offshore wind sector, the busiest yet for construction, and delivering more electricity than ever before.
“This latest report showcases an increasingly mature sector, delivering large-scale, low-carbon power, with record low bid prices for future projects, making the most of the UK’s world-class seabed resources and creating jobs opportunities across the country.”
18 Apr 2018
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