Offshore Wind Capital Grants Scheme

Aim of the scheme

The aim of the programme was to stimulate early development of a significant number of offshore wind farms. The projects are critical in promoting the necessary learning (in turbine maintenance, installation, financing, wind characteristics, contracting etc) and supply chain development which will allow the Round 2 offshore wind projects (which will be major contributors to targets to reduce carbon emissions and supply 7% of total UK electricity demand) to go ahead.

Further information about the demonstration programme is available below:

Background and update

Three rounds of offshore wind grants totalling £97 million have been allocated to 10 projects. A further project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.

These 11 projects equate to almost 1GW installed capacity in total (a tenth of the 2010 10% renewables target).

Five projects with a combined capacity of 390MW are complete and operating – North Hoyle, Scroby Sands, Kentish Flats, Barrow and Burbo Bank (funded by the Big Lottery Fund).

Construction is underway at a further five projects (Robin Rigg x 2, Lynn Offshore, Inner Dowsing and Rhyl Flats) and construction at Gunfleet Sands will start in 2008.

The scheme is now closed to new applications.

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