The UK’s offshore wind capacity is set for a significant expansion, with The Crown Estate advancing its Capacity Increase Programme across seven existing sites. This initiative aims to add 4.7GW of renewable energy, enough to power approximately four million homes, by modifying existing seabed rights. This move strongly supports the UK’s commitment to clean energy and its goal of achieving up to 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Powering the Future: The Capacity Increase Programme
The Crown Estate’s Capacity Increase Programme focuses on maximizing the potential of existing offshore wind lease areas. By amending current seabed rights, the program enables a substantial increase in generation capacity from seven fixed-bottom offshore wind farms located around England and Wales. These projects were initially awarded rights under The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 3 or the 2017 Offshore Wind Extensions opportunity.
Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, emphasized the importance of offshore wind as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and supply chain development. He stated that the Capacity Increase Programme is an effective way to provide secure, clean energy while reducing the UK’s reliance on internationally sourced fossil fuels.
The Crown Estate believes that proceeding with the capacity increases is in the national interest. It strongly contributes to the UK’s 2030 clean power targets and the decarbonization of the electricity grid by 2035.
Seven Wind Farms Leading the Charge
The seven offshore wind farms included in the Capacity Increase Programme are:
- Awel y Môr
- Dudgeon Extension
- Sheringham Shoal Extension
- North Falls
- Five Estuaries
- Rampion 2
- Dogger Bank D
These projects benefit from existing grid connections and infrastructure, which will facilitate faster deployment. All sites are located within established offshore wind areas.
Balancing Energy and Nature
The Crown Estate recognizes the importance of balancing energy needs with environmental protection. A thorough plan-level Habitats Regulations Assessment was conducted to evaluate the potential impacts of the Capacity Increase Programme on protected habitats.
Following the assessment, The Crown Estate recommended that the program proceed under a derogation, with compensation measures implemented to address any identified impacts on marine habitats and species. The Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero has agreed to this recommendation.
RenewableUK’s Offshore Wind Environment and Consents Co-Programme Manager, Kat Route-Stephens, highlighted the detailed assessment of potential effects on marine wildlife and the measures being put in place to address these impacts. She emphasized the close collaboration between the government, The Crown Estate, and nature conservation bodies to safeguard marine biodiversity while strengthening the UK’s energy security.
A Step Towards a Greener Future
The Capacity Increase Programme represents a significant step towards the UK’s clean energy transition. By maximizing the potential of existing offshore wind farms, the UK can efficiently increase its renewable energy capacity and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. This initiative contributes to the UK’s ambitious goals for offshore wind deployment and its commitment to decarbonizing the electricity grid.
This development aligns with the UK government’s target of achieving up to 50GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, a substantial increase from the nearly 15GW currently deployed. The Crown Estate’s efforts, combined with other initiatives like the floating offshore wind farm plans in the Celtic Sea, demonstrate the UK’s commitment to becoming a leader in offshore wind energy.
Looking Ahead: The Crown Estate’s Vision
The Crown Estate is also planning to update its legislation through the Crown Estate Act 2025. This new law will provide borrowing and investment capabilities, allowing for increased flexibility in investments that bolster decarbonization and energy security. This forward-looking approach will enable The Crown Estate to continue supporting the UK’s clean energy transition and contribute to a more sustainable future.
