A recent report from RenewableUK reveals that the global pipeline for floating offshore wind projects has expanded by 9% over the past year, increasing from 244 gigawatts (GW) to 266GW.
This growth reflects an increase in the number of projects, rising from 285 to 316.
Currently, 245 megawatts (MW) of floating wind capacity are fully operational across 15 projects in seven countries.
Norway leads this capacity with 94MW from three projects, followed by the UK with 78MW across two projects and China with 40MW from five projects.
Additionally, Portugal has one project with 25MW, while Japan contributes two projects totalling 5MW.
The report highlights that there are 102MW under construction across four projects, 7.3GW are consented or in pre-construction across 22 projects, and 21.6GW are in planning stages with 15 projects.
Furthermore, a significant 184GW are in early development or seeking leases.
Italy holds the largest share of the global pipeline, accounting for 16% (41.3GW), primarily in early development.
The US follows with 13% (35.3GW), while the UK ranks third with 12% (33.1GW).
Spain and Sweden follow with 9% (24.7GW) and 7% (18.2GW), respectively.
Europe remains a key region for floating offshore wind development, with 62% (165GW) of global capacity planned in European waters.
In the UK, 12% of the global floating wind portfolio is under development, with three-quarters of this capacity (24.8GW) located in Scottish waters.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail, Co-Chair of the Floating Offshore Wind Taskforce said: “It’s great to see the UK maintaining its position as a world leader in floating wind, but in an increasingly competitive global market the industry will now have to work even harder with the government to ensure that we ramp up the amount of floating capacity we secure in each annual auction from now on to maintain our advantage.
“This will enable us to build up a world-class supply chain and achieve the economies of scale we need to drive down costs as fast as possible.”
