A record 5,206 MW of offshore wind capacity entered operation in 2020 compared to 5,194 MW in 2019. This translates into an annual growth rate of 19.1%, growth that was achieved despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19
According to the World Forum Offshore Wind’s Global Offshore Wind Report 2020, in 2020 15 new offshore windfarms entered into operation, in the UK, China, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands and the US. A total of 162 offshore windfarms are now up and running around the world.
The UK remains the world’s largest offshore wind market, with 10.4 GW of total installed capacity. Germany only narrowly retains second place, with a total of 7.7 GW of operational capacity. China, currently in third place, is rapidly catching up with 7.1 GW of installed offshore wind power of which 2,062 MW was added in 2020.
Looking at offshore windfarms under construction, China and the UK clearly lead the way. The Chinese offshore wind sector is growing rapidly with a total capacity of 4,372 MW currently under construction.
The UK is in second place with a total capacity of 3,705 MW under construction. This includes several of the world’s largest offshore windfarms, such as Moray East (950 MW) and the world’s first 1 GW+ project, Hornsea 2, which will have a generating capacity of 1.4 GW.
In Germany, disruption in the market caused by changes to the regulatory framework for offshore wind in 2017 is reflected by zero capacity currently under construction.
World Forum Offshore Wind managing director Gunnar Herzig said, “Seeing yet another record year of global offshore wind installation underlines the dynamic global momentum for the industry.”
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