The United Kingdom is a world leader in offshore wind power, having pioneered the technology needed for generating electricity from the sea. This focus on marine energy has resulted in one of the most extensive fleets of offshore wind infrastructure globally, second only to China in installed capacity. The number of structures and the power they produce demonstrate the nation’s commitment to renewable energy generation. This article provides the most recent, consolidated count of the UK’s operational offshore wind turbines.
The Current Count and Context
As of the most recent comprehensive data collection, the UK maintains an operational fleet consisting of 2,766 individual offshore wind turbines. These turbines are grouped into a total of 45 distinct offshore wind farms spread across UK waters. A wind farm is an entire generation site, while a turbine is a single machine contributing to that project’s output.
The average size and power of these turbines have increased significantly over time, meaning newer installations contribute far more energy per unit than older ones. These figures represent only those turbines that are fully commissioned and actively supplying power to the national grid. The total count is constantly increasing as new projects complete testing and achieve full commercial operation.
Mapping the UK’s Operational Wind Farms
The vast majority of the UK’s turbine count is concentrated in the shallow and turbulent waters of the North Sea, an area offering consistently high wind speeds and relatively shallow depths suitable for fixed-bottom foundations. Several of the world’s largest operational wind farms are situated off the East Coast of England, demonstrating this geographical focus. These installations are typically located far from the shoreline to minimize visual impact and maximize wind exposure.
Hornsea 2, which became fully operational in 2022, currently stands as the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm, with a capacity of 1.3 Gigawatts (GW). The Hornsea zone, located off the Yorkshire coast, also includes its predecessor, Hornsea 1, which contributes 174 turbines to the total count. Further south, the East Anglia ONE project, situated off the coast of Suffolk, operates 102 turbines, significantly adding to the North Sea capacity.
While the North Sea dominates, the Irish Sea off the coasts of Wales and Northwest England is also home to a substantial number of operational projects. Walney Extension, for instance, continues to be a major contributor in the Irish Sea region. This distribution reflects the strategic use of different sea areas to diversify generation and connect to the existing coastal grid infrastructure.
Energy Generation Capacity and Significance
The 2,766 operational turbines translate into a total installed capacity of approximately 14.7 Gigawatts (GW). This capacity measures the maximum electrical output the entire fleet can generate under optimal wind conditions. The size of individual turbines has grown, with newer models averaging 7 to 9 Megawatts (MW), which is a significant factor in the high total capacity figure.
In 2023, the operational offshore wind fleet generated enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of the equivalent of 50% of all UK households. This output solidifies offshore wind as a major pillar of the nation’s electricity generation mix. The technology’s high load factor is a testament to the powerful and reliable wind resource available in the UK’s maritime environment.
The Near-Term Growth Trajectory
The current count of operational turbines is set to increase rapidly, as the nation maintains an aggressive pipeline of projects that are either under construction or fully approved. Approximately 7.8 GW of offshore wind capacity is currently under active construction across several major sites. These projects represent the next wave of installations that will transition to operational wind farms over the next few years.
Notable near-term additions include the remaining phases of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, which is being commissioned with 277 turbines planned for the full project. Hornsea 3 is also under construction in the North Sea and will add a further 2.9 GW to the operational total upon its completion. A significant portion of this pipeline is expected to achieve full commercial operation within the next 12 to 24 months, substantially boosting the overall turbine count.