A new report ‘EnergyPulse Insights’ published on 4 October by RenewableUK and compiled by its own analysts indicates that the total pipeline of floating offshore wind projects has grown significantly in the last 12 months in terms of capacity from 185 GW a year ago to 244 GW now – a 32% increase.
The number of projects has increased globally during that time from 230 to 285. The findings include projects at any stage – fully operational, under construction, approved, in the planning system awaiting a decision or at an early stage of development.
To date, 227 MW of floating wind capacity is fully operational across 14 projects in 7 countries. Norway has the most with 94 MW across 3 projects, the UK is second with 80 MW (2 projects), Portugal has 25 MW (1 project) and China is fourth with 19 MW across 3 projects. Japan has 5 MW (2 projects), Spain 2.225 MW (2 projects) and France 2 MW (1 project).
Globally, 46 MW are under construction (3 projects), 576 MW are consented or in the pre-construction phase (11 projects), 68 GW are in the planning system or have a lease agreement (80 projects), and 175 GW are in early development or applying for a lease (177 projects).
Nearly two-thirds of floating wind capacity announced so far worldwide is being developed in European waters (160 GW), 14% of it in the UK – 35 GW, of which 29 GW is in Scottish waters. Outside Europe, projects are being developed mainly off the west coast of the USA, the southeast coast of Australia and South Korea.
Although Italy has the largest project pipeline (40 071MW), nearly all its 47 projects are at an early stage of development, with only one (90 MW) submitted into the planning system so far.
The report also shows that demand for floating foundations is expected to ramp up fast, with the potential for 472 in the UK by the end of 2032. There could be 1369 floating foundations in Europe and 1924 for projects globally by the end of 2032.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
