Global Offshore Wind Capacity Hits 100 Gigawatts Mark Amid Industry Growth and Investment

The worldwide offshore wind capacity is expected to reach a historic milestone of 100 gigawatts this year, according to the latest EnergyPulse Insights report from RenewableUK. This level of capacity is sufficient to supply over 100 million UK households annually, marking a significant achievement in the transition to renewable energy sources.

Currently, there are 374 operational offshore wind farms globally, compared to 347 twelve months ago. The global offshore wind capacity has grown by 8 per cent in the past year, rising from 82.5 GW to 89.2 GW, an increase of 6.7 GW. The report highlights that 2025 was the fourth year for the highest deployment of offshore wind capacity, with 8.8 GW added. Projections suggest that an additional 18.8 GW could be be commissioned in 2026, with projects underway in China, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Taiwan, and Poland.

The global project portfolio for offshore wind now entails 1565 projects at various development stages, representing a total potential capacity of 1157 GW across 49 markets. This includes operational facilities, those under construction, permitted projects, planning submissions, and early-stage developments. Looking ahead, it is forecasted that 236 GW could be operational worldwide by 2030, more than doubling the current global capacity. By that time, an estimated 671 offshore wind projects will be fully operational, potentially surpassing the number of nuclear power plants globally, which currently stands at 416 according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Within the UK, offshore wind capacity has increased from 14.8 GW to 16.1 GW over the past year, marking an increase of 1.3 GW. The number of completed wind farms has grown from 43 to 45, with an additional 11.5 GW under construction, indicating robust growth in upcoming years. Overall, the UK has 127 projects across all development phases, totalling 91.9 GW in capacity.

China and the UK dominate the global offshore wind market, accounting for 84 per cent of the capacity commissioned in the last twelve months. Both countries continue to lead in project development across all stages. Investment activity remains strong, with nearly 39 billion pounds committed globally over the past year in final investment decisions covering 16.8 GW of projects. Particularly in the UK, recent government auctions have attracted investment worth approximately 31.5 billion pounds for new offshore wind capacity.

RenewableUK executive director Tara Singh noted that private investment in offshore wind has seen substantial growth, with nearly 40 billion pounds committed across 38 projects last year. She emphasised the United Kingdoms leading position in offshore wind and urged the government to maintain ambition, especially with upcoming auctions that could see over 16.9 GW of new capacity bidding for contracts.

Overall, the continued expansion of offshore wind demonstrates its vital role in global decarbonisation strategies, advancing energy security, and fostering economic growth within the renewable sector.