Kwasi Kwarteng said the announcement “will take us a step closer to increasing current levels of capacity almost five-fold by 2030” (source: UK Gov)
Six fixed offshore wind projects with potential to generate 8 GW of offshore wind have been given the green light by the UK Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
The green light from the Secretary of State means the projects can enter into an agreement for lease with The Crown Estate.
In April, following the completion of a Habitats Regulations Assessment – an assessment of the potential impacts on the most valuable environmental habitats in the UK – The Crown Estate gave notice to the UK and Welsh Governments of its intent to proceed with the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4 plan on the basis of a ‘derogation’.
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has now provided agreement that The Crown Estate can proceed with the plan, and the Welsh Government has not raised any objections to the notice.
The Crown Estate chief executive Dan Labbad said, “Today is a pivotal moment on the UK’s journey towards net zero, strengthening the potential pipeline of future offshore wind projects and building vital resilience in domestic renewable energy supply.”
Business and Energy Secretary the Right Honourable Kwasi Kwarteng MP said, “This month saw the price of offshore wind fall to record lows. Today’s announcement will take us another step closer to increasing current levels of capacity almost five-fold by 2030.
“We are already a world leader in offshore wind and these new sites will help secure more clean, affordable, homegrown power for millions of households across the country, while reducing their reliance on costly fossil fuels.”
The derogation process enables plans or projects to progress if certain tests are met, while ensuring the identified environmental impacts are fully offset through environmental compensatory measures.
The use of derogation for Round 4 reflects the complex challenges faced as the marine environment becomes increasingly busy – a challenge which is likely to be faced by most future offshore wind developments.
Over the next few weeks, The Crown Estate will communicate with the preferred bidders for each of the six projects (see map below) to confirm next steps in connection with the Offshore Wind Leasing Round 4.
Any agreements for lease granted will secure the necessary environmental mitigation and compensatory measures.
