The global pipeline of offshore wind energy projects which are operational, under construction, consented, or being planned has grown by 37 GW in the last twelve months.

This is an annual increase of 30%, from 122 GW twelve months ago to 159 GW now.

The UK has retained its top spot with a pipeline of 38.9 GW, a quarter of the global total.

China has moved up from fourth to second place with 19.3 GW, an increase of 7.3 GW, up 60%.

The USA stays in third place, up from 15.7 GW to 17.8 GW, an increase of 13%, while Germany has dropped from second to fourth place as its total of 16.5 GW has remained almost the same over the last twelve months, adding just 68 MW. Taiwan stays fifth with its project pipeline growing by 28% from 8.9 GW to 11.4 GW.

In sixth place, the Netherlands has risen from 6.5 GW last year to 11.3 GW, an increase of 74%. Ireland has witnessed a growth from 3.2 GW last year to 8.2 GW this year, climbing to number seven with an increase of 156%. Poland is eighth with 6.2 GW, Denmark ninth at 4.7 GW, and Vietnam is tenth with 3.6 GW.

“In the current economic crisis, these new figures show that offshore wind is one of the major growth opportunities worldwide. In the UK alone, we estimate that next year’s auction for renewable power could secure over £20bn of new investment. Our latest Offshore Wind Project Intelligence report highlights the global potential for offshore wind to drive a green economic recovery,” RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Melanie Onn said.

The top five countries represent 65% of the total global pipeline, with 104 GW of capacity between them. Europe has 60% of the pipeline with 96 GW.

In terms of operational capacity, the UK still leads the world with 9.7 GW, Germany is second at 7.5 GW, China third with 3.3 GW, Belgium fourth at 1.8 GW, and Denmark fifth with 1.7 GW.