The Crown Estate has confirmed its intention to advance the capacity increase initiative, which aims to optimise the potential of current offshore wind lease areas.
This programme is projected to produce sufficient energy to supply around four million households, aiding the UK’s transition to cleaner energy.
Go deeper with GlobalData
By modifying existing seabed rights, the initiative could yield an extra 4.7GW of energy from seven fixed-bottom offshore wind farms around England and Wales.
This effort is in line with the UK Government’s goal of reaching up to 50GW of clean energy from offshore wind by 2030.
The chosen projects received rights in the Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 3 or the 2017 Offshore Wind Extensions initiative.
These programmes are designed to effectively unlock additional offshore wind capacity by expanding existing wind farms.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataAll seven projects are equipped with existing grid connections and infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment within designated offshore wind sites.
The locations include Awel y Môr, Dogger Bank D, Dudgeon Extension, Five Estuaries, North Falls, Rampion 2 and Sheringham Shoal Extension.
A comprehensive Habitats Regulations Assessment was carried out to examine the potential effects of the Capacity Increase Initiative on protected habitats.
Following this evaluation, the Crown Estate advised the Secretary of State for Energy & Net Zero that the initiative should proceed based on a derogation, including compensation measures for any identified impacts on marine habitats and species.
The Secretary of State has approved this recommendation, with the Crown Estate emphasising that the capacity expansions serve the national interest.
This decision supports the UK’s clean power objectives for 2030 and the decarbonisation of the electricity grid by 2035.
The Crown Estate has revealed plans 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 decarbonisation and energy security.
The Crown Estate Marine managing director Gus Jaspert said: “Our purpose is to create lasting and shared prosperity for the nation.
“Offshore wind enables us to do that as a driver of economic growth through jobs creation and supply chain development.
“Delivering the Capacity Increase Programme is an effective way to provide up to four million homes with secure, clean energy and further decrease the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels, often sourced internationally.”
In another development, the UK Government has significantly increased funding for a programme aimed at stimulating investment in offshore wind projects, raising it to £544m ($716.79m) due to unexpectedly high demand.
The Clean Industry Bonus will reward offshore wind developers for prioritising investments in regions that need it most.
Last August, Crown Estate launched the second phase of Celtic Sea wind farm leasing.
