The UK Government has announced new measures to speed up the construction of offshore wind projects, removing outdated infrastructure restrictions that have caused delays. Ministers are streamlining the consenting process to accelerate development, unlocking up to 13 projects with a combined capacity of 16 GW.
The changes will allow the Government to designate new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or expand existing ones to offset the impact of offshore wind farms on the seabed. This will prevent delays caused by environmental compensation disputes while protecting marine ecosystems and supporting the UK’s goal to safeguard 30% of its seas by 2030.
Any new or expanded MPAs will be designated through the existing legal process, with input from affected industries and communities. Offshore wind developers will fund the creation and management of these areas through the Marine Recovery Fund.
