| 
.jpg)
According to research published by RenewableUK, the UK could approve enough power agreements to double its present-day offshore wind fleet, which is now the world's second-biggest, across its next auction later this year.
With its EnergyPulse report, the agency stated that 14 offshore wind projects are eligible for this year's CFD allocation round 6 (AR6) auction, which is anticipated to open on March 27, offering almost 10.3 GW of additional capacity.
If bids for all of these projects are submitted, the previous all-time high for capacity bids in a financing cycle will be surpassed. This was done in 2022, while seven projects totaling 8.5 GW of offshore wind power were suitable for funding.
According to RenewableUK, these are the projects:
- Norfolk Vanguard West and Norfolk Vanguard East (2,760MW)
- Hornsea Four (2,600MW)
- Awel y Môr (1,100MW)
- East Anglia TWO (900MW)
- East Anglia ONE North (800MW)
- Hornsea Three (753.1MW)
- Seagreen 1A (500MW)
- East Anglia THREE (318MW)
- Inch Cape (270MW)
- Pentland (floating project) (100MW)
- Erebus (floating project) (100MW)
- Blyth 2 (floating project) (58MW)
- Forthwind (test and demonstration site) (8MW)
RenewableUK's Chief Executive Dan McGrail stated: "Our most recent EnergyPulse report underscores the great opportunity for the government to boost the UK's energy security, with a record number of new offshore wind farms eligible to participate in this year's clean power auction, as well as a record amount of additional capacity.
Since offshore wind farms are one of the cheapest sources of additional power for billpayers, we urge Ministers to be ambitious when they establish the auction budget and criteria next month. If done correctly, we can secure billions of pounds in private investment, propelling the expansion of the UK's offshore wind supply chain and creating new employment in the industry."
Afterward last year's disappointing CFD auction, the maximum strike price for AR6 was raised by 66% for offshore wind projects in November, from GBP 44/MWh to GBP 73/MWh, and by 52% for floating offshore wind projects, from GBP 116/MWh to GBP 176/MWh.
According to the research, offshore wind is growing at an incredible rate throughout the world, and despite severe global competition, the United Kingdom remains a world leader in this critical technology. In this year's auction, we have the opportunity to demonstrate once more that Britain is one of the finest countries to invest in new offshore wind projects."
Access the full report here- https://www.renewableuk.com/news/665698/UK-can-secure-record-number-of-offshore-wind-farms-in-this-years-auction-for-new-projects.htm
