By Seth Hunt, Global Sales Director at LSP Renewables
Back to back wins
AR7
There is only one place to start when talking about offshore wind. At home in the UK. The year kicked off with the record breaking AR7, where a huge 8.4 GW of offshore wind was secured by some of the safest and most proven developers in the market. This was the shot in the arm the industry needed after what felt like a long winter.
AR7 showed that the UK offshore wind sector is not only resilient but now positioned to accelerate towards its 2030 targets. Record capacity, strong pricing and major investment all point in the right direction. The results unlocked £22 billion in private investment and are expected to generate around 7,000 skilled jobs across the UK.
AR8
If that was not enough, it has now been confirmed that AR8 will open for offers in July 2026. This next round builds on strong early momentum, supported by growing investor confidence and clearer policy direction.
AR8 is expected to deliver a robust pipeline, improved clarity and a sharper focus on energy security. The move toward annual CfD rounds gives developers a more structured pathway and helps accelerate deployment. The question now is whether AR8 can go even further.
P.S.
Further positive news for the UK. The Crown Estate is planning to launch Round 6 offshore wind leasing in early 2027, offering around 6 GW of capacity. Proposed sites are mainly off the North East coast of England and are suited to fixed bottom foundations.
The programme remains subject to stakeholder engagement and alignment with the National Energy System Operator network strategy. Early consultations are already underway to assess feasibility and commercial options.
EU News
The European Union has approved a EUR 5 billion Danish offshore wind CfD scheme following the failed open door auction of 2024.
Credit to the Danish government for moving quickly and making decisive policy changes. The shift to a two sided CfD model provides a guaranteed fixed price for developers. If energy prices fall, the government covers the gap. If prices rise, developers return excess profit.
For a country that has led offshore wind for decades but faced recent challenges, this change could act as a catalyst for renewed growth and investment.
LSP delivering offshore wind in APAC
Following the successful award of the Fengmiao 1 offshore wind campaign last year, we are proud to report strong progress across delivery.
LSP Renewables has been trusted to supply a Client Representative and Marine Coordinators to the 495 MW project, owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, off the coast of Taiwan. Our team in Taipei, supported by our wider APAC and EU network, is actively securing these critical roles.
This reflects the strength of our global network and our ability to deliver specialist offshore wind talent where it is needed most. Our presence across Taiwan and the wider APAC region continues to grow.
Taiwan set to launch 3.6 GW offshore wind auction
Taiwan has officially launched its next offshore wind auction, offering up to 3.6 GW for projects targeting 2030 to 2031 grid connection. The bidding window runs from 1 April to 30 September 2026, with awards expected by year end.
This round places greater emphasis on developer capability and execution. Key priorities include proven track record, engineering strength and financial resilience. Each developer will be capped at 1 GW, supported by a minimum guaranteed purchase price to stabilise financing.
Local content requirements appear to have eased, with greater focus on ESG performance and energy resilience. This signals a shift toward long term system value rather than strict localisation.
Sea change
Globally, offshore wind is set for a record year. Analysts forecast up to 19.6 GW of offtake awards in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 19.1 GW in 2024. Final Investment Decisions could also rise, with up to 15.9 GW of projects reaching financial close. A renewed focus on energy security, combined with clearer pipelines and policy reform, is helping restore investor confidence and creating a more stable outlook for the sector.
Floating wind challenges continue
Mingyang Smart Energy’s exit from the UK market is a significant moment for floating offshore wind. The UK Government’s decision to block market entry reduces OEM competition, which is likely to increase cost pressure on early projects in INTOG and the Celtic Sea. It also limits options within an already constrained supply chain.
This highlights the need to accelerate domestic manufacturing and build a more resilient and diversified supply base. Regardless of political perspective, the loss of potential investment, innovation and jobs is a setback for the industry.
The global supply chain remains under pressure. Governments and decision makers need to find solutions quickly, as industry ambition continues to outpace available capacity.
Offshore wind team on the road in 2026
This year, the LSP Renewables offshore wind team will be attending all major industry events, including:
WindEurope Annual Event in Madrid
Global Offshore Wind 2026 in Manchester, bringing together leading UK and EU stakeholders
WindEnergy Hamburg, one of the largest events in the sector
Looking forward to seeing the industry out in force.
