英国海上风电25年（英）

8 December 2025In 25 years, the British wind industry has led the world with colossal offshore solutions that can now power 16 million homes annually, boosting local manufacturing across its coastline.Author: Frankie Mayo25 yearsof Britishoffshore wind Summary In December 2000, the first offshore wind farm in Britain was completed off the coast of the North East of England, a region long associated with the industrial revolution. Since then, the national wind industry has expanded to record sizes, employing tens of thousands and inspiring renewable energy policy internationally. Over the last 25 years in Britain, ● Offshore wind power has grown to 17% of the country’s total generation. ● Around 40,000 people are currently employed in the offshore wind sector, including 7,000 new jobs added in the last two years. ● There are 47 operational offshore wind farms, producing enough clean power for over 16 million homes annually ● There are 2,878 turbines operational, up from the two pioneering machines at Blyth in 2000. ● Modern turbine blades sweep an area 10 times larger than those originally at Blyth. ● There are over 2,000 companies in the wind industry supply chain, from logistics at ports to blade and cable manufacturing. ● There are seven offshore wind farms under construction and five in preparation, totalling 12 GW together. The next 25 years could deliver even greater benefits if Britain fully capitalises on the sector’s re-industrialisation potential. Stable deployment schedules, stronger supply chains and innovations in deep-water and manufacturing technologies will be essential to secure long-term jobs, reduce cost pressures and maintain Britain’s position as a global offshore wind leader. 2 Looking back at the monumental effort of the past 25 years, it’s clear that the re-industrialisation potential of offshore wind is only just beginning. The sector is facing challenges, but the solutions are known and the local employment and industrial benefits are within reach. Frankie Mayo Senior Energy Analyst - UK, Ember 3 25 years ago, a new industrial opportunity for Britain began at the Port of Blyth The first ripples of re-industrialisation The North East of England has a long association with coal and the origins of the industrial revolution. In 2025 the region is celebrating 200 years since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, the first public railway in the world to use steam locomotion. Around 50 years later, in 1878, one of the first incandescent lightbulbs was produced by Sunderland-born Sir Joseph Swan, a year before American inventor Thomas Edison. Then, at the turn of the new millenium, the North East produced something revolutionary again: Britain’s first offshore wind farm. On the 7th December 2000, a new industrial era started, when then Minister for Energy Helen Liddell cut the ribbon in Blyth Harbour on the first offshore wind farm in Britain. Sixth globally, it was de