With 5.1GW operational, 0.8GW being built and 4.3GW having reached FID, offshore wind is set to provide 10% of the UK’s electricity needs by 2020. Offshore wind already delivers 5%.

RenewableUK also said that a £2.6 billion Final Investment Decision by SSE, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and SDIC Power of China, to build Beatrice offshore wind farm. It is one of the largest private investments ever made in Scottish infrastructure.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Hugh McNeal said:

"It’s terrific to see another multi-billion pound international investment in our global-leading offshore wind industry.

"We now know that by 2020, 10% of the UK’s electricity will be generated by offshore wind farms, securing jobs and investment all over our country".

10GW will power the equivalent of more than a quarter of UK households a year – over 7 and a half million homes.