UK’s Morecambe offshore windfarm secures development consent approval

Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) leads development for the Morecambe offshore windfarm on behalf of the project’s owner, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP). CIP acquired full ownership of the project in Q1 2025. COP is the exclusive offshore wind development partner to CIP.

The DCO is a major milestone for the project and serves as a planning consent in England and Wales for certain large-scale infrastructure projects. It marks the completion of many years of surveys, data analysis and engagement with key stakeholders to ensure the project is ready to advance to construction, which is scheduled for 2027.

When complete, the 480-MW project will generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 500,000 UK homes.

COP UK and Ireland chief executive Holly Cartwright said, “We are delighted with the positive decision from the Secretary of State, which follows many years of intensive development and engagement. 

“It marks a significant milestone in delivering a project that will strengthen the UK’s clean-energy future. Our thanks go to the dedicated team at COP for their exceptional work throughout this year, and to Flotation Energy and COBRA for the many years of planning that have brought us to this milestone.”

COP executive vice president and head of Europe Keld Bennetsen said offshore planning approval “is a major step for the Morecambe offshore windfarm.”  Mr Bennetsen said the company is ready to progress to the next phase of the project.

“This approval reinforces confidence in our vision for the future of offshore wind in the UK and the region, and it reflects the strong collaboration between our team, regulators and stakeholders,” he concluded.