The United Kingdom stands as the world's second-largest offshore wind market, with a legacy of pioneering development stretching back to 2000 when the first commercial offshore wind farm was installed at Blyth in Northumberland. As of May 2026, the UK offshore wind market has approximately 16 GW of operational offshore wind capacity across more than 45 wind farms, with a further 11.4 GW under active construction and 4.4 GW in pre-construction stages.

Several of the world's largest upcoming offshore wind projects are located in UK waters, including Berwick Bank (4.1 GW), Dogger Bank (3.6 GW), Ossian (up to 3.6 GW), Dogger Bank South (3.0 GW), and Hornsea 3 (2.9 GW). Together, these mega-projects represent billions of pounds in investment and will play a critical role in expanding the UK's renewable energy capacity, strengthening energy security, and supporting net-zero targets.

This article highlights the Top 10 Offshore Wind Projects in the United Kingdom (UK), providing an overview of their capacity, ownership, development status, technical features, key contractors, and latest project updates.

List of Top 10 Upcoming, Ongoing, and Operational Offshore Wind Farms in the UK 2026

Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Power Plant

Berwick Bank is a proposed 4.1 GW offshore wind farm being developed by SSE Renewables approximately 38 km off Scotland's east coast in the Outer Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay. Planned across three phases, the project will deploy up to 307 wind turbines and generate enough renewable electricity to power more than six million homes annually. 

As one of the world’s largest offshore wind developments, Berwick Bank is expected to play a major role in supporting Scotland's 11 GW offshore wind target and the UK's Clean Power 2030 ambitions. The project could contribute up to GBP 8.3 billion to the UK economy, support thousands of jobs, and avoid around 9.1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions over its lifecycle. 

Phase B secured a 20-year Contract for Difference in January 2026, with commissioning targeted by March 2031.

Key contractors and suppliers for Berwick bank:

Dogger Bank A+B+C

Dogger Bank is one of the world's largest offshore wind developments, located 130–200 km off the Yorkshire coast in the North Sea. Developed jointly by SSE Renewables, Equinor, and Vårgrønn, the project comprises three 1.2 GW phases (A, B, and C) with a combined capacity of 3.6 GW, enough to power around six million UK homes. 

Built using GE Vernova's Haliade-X turbines, Dogger Bank represents an investment of approximately USD 11 billion and is expected to generate around 18 TWh of electricity annually. Phase A produced its first power in 2023, with the full project scheduled for completion by 2026.

In May 2026, GE Vernova confirmed the appointment of the Maraen Port of Nigg, Scotland, as the marshaling harbor for turbine components for Phases B and C. 

Key contractors and suppliers for Dogger Bank:

Hornsea 3

Hornsea 3 is a 2.9 GW offshore wind farm being developed by Ørsted (50%) and Apollo-managed Funds (50%) approximately 120 km off the Norfolk coast in the North Sea. Covering 696 km², the project will deploy 197 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD turbines and generate enough renewable electricity to power more than 3.3 million UK homes. Hornsea 3 is expected to become the world's largest individual offshore wind farm when it enters commercial operation in 2027 with an estimated investment of GBP 8.5 billion.

Hornsea 3 will utilize 197 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines installed on XXL monopile foundations. The project incorporates Hitachi Energy's HVDC Light transmission system, including two offshore and two onshore converter stations. Approximately 680 km of export cables will connect the wind farm to the grid via Weybourne and Swardeston in Norfolk. A co-located 300 MW / 600 MWh battery energy storage system is also under construction.

Ørsted installed the first monopile foundation in May 2026 and confirmed continued progress on offshore construction. The first export cable was connected to the Norfolk coast in March 2026, while the first offshore substation was completed by the end of March. Mubadala invested USD 325 million in the project in May 2026, and the wind farm remains on schedule for full operations in 2027.

Key contractors and suppliers for Hornsea 3:

Dogger Bank South Offshore Wind Power Plant

Dogger Bank South comprises the 1.5 GW DBS West and 1.5 GW DBS East projects located more than 100 km off the northeast coast of England. Developed by RWE Renewables (51%) and Masdar (49%), the combined 3 GW development will significantly expand the Dogger Bank offshore wind cluster and is expected to begin operations between 2031 and 2032.

The development will deploy approximately 200 fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines and utilize large-scale transmission infrastructure, expected to include HVDC technology due to the distance from shore. Both projects secured Contracts for Difference through Allocation Round 7 at a strike price of GBP 91.20/MWh.

The UK Government granted Development Consent Orders for both DBS West and DBS East on 14-15 May 2026. RWE and Masdar are now progressing toward a final investment decision in 2027, with commissioning targeted for 2031 and 2032, respectively.

Key contractors and suppliers for Dogger Bank South:

Ossian Offshore Wind Power Plant

Ossian is a proposed floating offshore wind project with a planned capacity of up to 3.6 GW located approximately 84 km off the Angus coast of Scotland. Developed by SSE Renewables, Marubeni Corporation, and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), the project could deploy up to 270 floating wind turbines and generate enough renewable electricity to power nearly six million homes annually.

The project, one of the largest offshore wind projects by SSE, will utilize floating wind technology with turbines mounted on floating substructures moored to the seabed. Infrastructure plans include six offshore substations, approximately 1,261 km of inter-array cabling, and 263 km of interconnector cables. Extensive geophysical and environmental surveys have already been completed along a 420 km export cable route.

Key contractors and suppliers for the Ossian offshore wind plant:

Hornsea 2 Offshore Wind Power Plant

Hornsea 2 is a 1.386 GW offshore wind farm owned by Ørsted and located 89 km off the Yorkshire coast. Commissioned in August 2022, the project consists of 165 turbines and generates enough electricity to power more than 1.4 million UK homes annually. It remains the UK's largest fully operational offshore wind farm.

The wind farm uses 165 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines installed on monopile foundations and connected to the National Grid through HVAC transmission infrastructure. Operations are managed from Ørsted's East Coast Hub in Grimsby.

Key contractors and suppliers for Hornsea 2 offshore wind plant:

East Anglia Three (EA3) Offshore Wind Power Plant

East Anglia Three (EA3) is a 1.4 GW offshore wind farm being developed by ScottishPower Renewables (Iberdrola) and Masdar off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast. The project will feature 95 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines and generate enough electricity to power approximately 1.3 million homes. Commercial operation is targeted for the end of 2026.

EA3 will deploy 95 Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD turbines on monopile foundations. The project connects to the National Grid through dedicated export cable infrastructure and offshore substations. The first monopile installed weighed 1,800 tonnes and set a European installation record.

The first turbine was successfully installed in April 2026, and turbine installation is progressing across the site. Commercial operations remain targeted for late 2026, while Ofgem continues the transmission asset tender process.

Key contractors and suppliers for East Anglia Three offshore wind plant:

Sofia Offshore Wind Power Plant

Sofia is a 1.4 GW offshore wind farm being developed by RWE Renewables on Dogger Bank, approximately 195 km from the northeast coast of England. The project will deploy 100 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines and is expected to power around 1.2 million homes when fully commissioned by the end of 2026.

The project uses a single 13,000-tonne offshore converter platform and HVDC transmission technology. Two 220 km subsea export cables connect the site to Teesside, where electricity is transmitted to the National Grid via an onshore converter station at Redcar and Lackenby.

All turbine foundations have been installed, and 91 of the 100 turbines are already in place. The onshore converter station is nearing energization, with full project commissioning remaining on schedule for late 2026.

Key contractors and suppliers for Sofia Offshore Wind Farm:

Hornsea 1 Offshore Wind Power Plant

Hornsea 1 is a 1.218 GW offshore wind farm located 120 km off the Yorkshire coast and owned by Ørsted. Commissioned in December 2019, it became the world's first offshore wind farm to exceed 1 GW in capacity and currently generates around 6 TWh of electricity annually, enough to power more than one million homes.

The project comprises 174 Siemens Gamesa 7 MW turbines installed on monopile foundations across 407 km². Electricity is transmitted to shore through HVAC infrastructure, while operations are coordinated from Ørsted's East Coast Hub in Grimsby.

Hornsea 1 continues to operate at full capacity and remains a key contributor to the UK's offshore wind fleet. The project is expected to remain operational into the 2040s and continues to support the wider Hornsea offshore wind cluster.

Key contractors and suppliers for Hornsea 1 Offshore Wind Farm:

Inch Cape Offshore Wind Power Plant

Inch Cape is a 1.1 GW offshore wind project located 15–22 km off the Angus coast of Scotland. Owned equally by Red Rock Renewables and ESB, the project will deploy 72 turbines and generate more than 5 TWh of renewable electricity annually. First power is expected in late 2026, with full commercial operation planned for 2027.

The project will use fixed-bottom foundations connected through 66 kV inter-array cables and two 220 kV export cables extending approximately 85 km to Cockenzie in East Lothian. The project has secured two CfD awards and includes a dedicated offshore substation.

Inch Cape completed a major 18-month boulder relocation program in May 2026 involving more than 26,000 boulders. Construction activities continue across foundations, cables, and logistics infrastructure, while the Port of Montrose O&M base progresses toward completion. First power remains on track for late 2026.

Key contractors and suppliers for Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm:

Other Notable UK Offshore Wind Projects

Beyond the top ten projects by capacity, the UK offshore wind pipeline includes several other significant developments worth monitoring:

• Norfolk Vanguard (1.4 GW each, West and East phases) - developed by RWE, CfD secured in AR7 2026, planning consent granted May 2026; construction expected 2027+.

• West of Orkney (2 GW) - under development in Scottish waters, permitting phase ongoing; commercial operation expected mid-2030s.

• Moray West (882 MW) - developed by Ocean Winds and Ignitis Group; commissioned in 2024, the second-largest wind farm commissioned in the UK that year.

• Inch Cape Extension / Ossian Phase 2 - future development options are being assessed in Scottish waters.

• Erebus (100+ MW, Celtic Sea) - Blue Gem Wind (Simply Blue Group), first commercial floating wind project in the Celtic Sea; awarded CfD in AR5; could support 5,000 jobs.

• Awel y Mor (formerly Rhyl Flats Extension, 576 MW) - RWE, off north Wales; in planning; expected commissioning late 2020s.

• Five Estuaries (800 MW) - SSE Renewables, off the Suffolk coast; in development.

• Green Volt (560 MW) - Equinor / Vargronn, floating wind off northeast Scotland; first power expected ~2029.

Conclusion

The United Kingdom is one of the world's leading offshore wind markets, with approximately 16 GW of operational capacity and a strong pipeline of large-scale projects advancing through construction, consent, and planning stages. The top 10 offshore wind projects highlighted in this article represent around 30 GW of capacity and showcase the scale of investment, technological innovation, and industry expertise driving the sector forward. 

From established projects such as Hornsea 1 and Hornsea 2 to transformative developments like Berwick Bank, Dogger Bank South, and the floating wind project Ossian, these developments will play a vital role in strengthening energy security, supporting decarbonization goals, and helping the UK achieve its target of 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. 

As investment, supply chain activity, and project development continue to accelerate, offshore wind is set to remain a cornerstone of the UK's clean energy transition for decades to come.

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