How EastWind is turning offshore opportunity into action

These results come as a welcome relief following a disappointing AR5 last year, where no new projects were awarded due to low strike prices.

AR6 has added more than 2.2GW of capacity to the region’s energy network, contributing significantly to the government’s target of 50GW of offshore wind by 2030. This boost in capacity is expected to come online between 2027 and 2029, a critical step towards meeting the country’s clean energy goals.

Ørsted’s Hornsea Three project, which makes landfall near Weybourne in north Norfolk, has already commenced its onshore construction phase. The project will connect to the grid south of Norwich, with the first stage of works expected to complete by February 2025.

Meanwhile, ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia Two and Three projects are the latest additions to the broader East Anglia Hub, which will eventually deliver nearly 4GW of capacity, strengthening the region’s role as a key player in the offshore wind sector.

The stark contrast between AR5 and AR6 is in part a reflection of the new Labour government’s renewed focus on renewable energy.

Prime minister Keir Starmer, alongside Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy security and net zero, have implemented critical reforms in their first few months in office, indicating an improved focus on the renewable sector. These include lifting the ban on onshore wind and establishing Great British Energy.

Following the auction, Ed Miliband said: “We inherited a broken energy policy, including last year’s disastrous auction round which gave us no successful offshore wind projects.

“Today we have now achieved a record-setting round for enough renewable power for 11 million homes, essential to give energy security to families across the country. It is another significant step forward in our mission for clean power by 2030 – bringing Britain energy independence and lower bills for good.

“These results show that together, this government and the energy industry are securing investment into our country. This auction has produced a record number of solar projects bolstering our mission for a solar revolution, we have powered forward with onshore wind, secured the largest commercial floating offshore wind project in the world and got the offshore industry back on its feet.

“As we accelerate our plan for clean power by 2030 the government will work with the industry on how we can build on this success to ensure we can go even further and faster to deliver the power we need.”

In addition to AR6’s successes, the Labour government is looking to streamline both Development Consent Order (DCO) and Town and Country Planning (TCPA) processes, allowing for an increased number of infrastructure projects to be approved.

One of EastWind’s key roles is fostering collaboration across the sector, such as at its Celebration Event in June 2024 (Image: EastWind)

Increasing collaboration and innovation

EastWind is holding a conference on November 12, which will see industry leaders come together to discuss the outcomes of AR6 and the impact these results will have on both the local projects and the supply chain.

Industry organisations, such as EastWind, play a pivotal role in fostering partnerships and sharing knowledge across the supply chain. Despite the positive momentum, the offshore wind industry faces ongoing challenges that require sustained collaboration and innovation.

By bringing together experts through roundtable events, working groups and other initiatives, EastWind is helping to address common challenges and drive solutions that benefit the entire sector.

Key areas of focus for the cluster include:

•  Strengthening engagement with local communities.
• Improving visibility of skills data to ensure a future-ready workforce.
• Lowering barriers to entry for new innovators.
• Facilitating greater collaboration across the supply chain.
• Supporting local businesses to take part in major local projects.

Lexi Brackpool, EastWind project manager, said: “The results of AR6 are a clear indication of the government’s renewed focus on offshore wind and the wider renewables sector, and it’s fantastic to see East Anglia’s projects leading the way.

“However, to turn these opportunities into tangible results, collaboration across the sector is essential. At EastWind, we believe that by advocating and providing a voice for our members and encouraging innovation, we can continue to support the region’s vital role in delivering the UK’s offshore wind targets.”

Lexi Brackpool, EastWind project manager (Image: EastWind) Wider energy sector collaboration will also be key moving forward, with many other forms of renewables facing similar challenges to wind and many of these sectors also seeing success in AR6.

Problems like supply chain issues, rising costs and skills shortages are relevant to solar, nuclear, hydrogen and battery projects alike.

At the centre of all of these, the grid requires a swathe of upgrades in order to transmit new renewable sources around the country, and many of these projects are facing planning delays and public backlash, which could have a knock-on effect on many of our region’s new projects.

As the UK accelerates its journey towards net zero, the collaborative efforts of industry stakeholders and government will be critical in meeting ambitious goals.

With organisations like EastWind at the forefront, the sector is well-positioned to overcome obstacles and continue driving progress.