The Crown Estate has announced plans for the UK’s Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6, set for the first half of 2027, aiming to develop at least 6 GW of new capacity.
This leasing process will concentrate on areas in the northeast of England, suitable for fixed-bottom offshore wind projects. The initiative follows consultations with the National Energy System Operator’s (NESO) strategic plans for energy and electricity networks, which will define the precise capacity and site details for the leasing round.
On 26 March, the Crown Estate initiated market engagement to gather insights on the commercial viability and market interest for the new leasing round. This engagement aims to refine approaches for the leasing process.
The UK seabed manager has also pinpointed additional seabed opportunities in the South West, Wales, and other regions. These areas may be included in future leasing rounds, guided by the Crown Estate’s new Marine Delivery Routemap, utilized for the first time in Round 6.
The previous leasing round, Round 5, targeted floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, focusing on areas off South Wales and South West England, with a goal of up to 4.5 GW capacity. Seabed rights were awarded to Equinor, Gwynt Glas, and Ocean Winds, each with projects up to 1.5 GW. Lease agreements have been signed for all three Round 5 sites.
The announcement of Round 6 coincides with the UK government’s confirmation that the next Contracts for Difference (CfD) auction, Allocation Round 8 (AR8), will open in July 2026, ahead of schedule. This follows the award of CfDs for 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity in AR7, the UK’s largest auction to date.
Currently, the UK boasts around 17 GW of installed offshore wind capacity, with an additional 12 GW under construction, ranking among the world’s largest offshore wind markets.
The Crown Estate highlighted the UK’s offshore wind sector as a leading source of clean energy, powering the equivalent of half of all UK homes. It attracts significant investment, supports skilled jobs, and enhances energy security by reducing fossil fuel reliance.
In December 2024, the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) released the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan. This roadmap aims for a nearly fully clean power system by 2030, with clean sources generating 95% of electricity and gas accounting for no more than 5%. Offshore wind is emphasized as a crucial component of this clean energy framework.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz