United Kingdom Wind Energy - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

The united kingdom wind energy market size is expected to grow from 34.5 gigawatt in 2025 to 39.69 gigawatt in 2026 and is forecast to reach 79.94 gigawatt by 2031 at 15.04% CAGR over 2026-2031. This report is Segmented by Location (Onshore and Offshore), Turbine Capacity (Less Than 3 MW, 3 To 6 MW, and Above 6 MW), and Application (Utility-Scale, Commercial and Industrial, and Community Projects). The Market Size and Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Installed Capacity (GW).

United Kingdom Wind Energy Market Trends and Insights

Rapid build-out of Round 3 and ScotWind offshore lease projects

The Crown Estate’s ScotWind awards opened a 25 GW pipeline across 17 leases that already possess surveys, grid links, and vessel bookings, trimming typical development cycles by almost two years. East Anglia Hub’s 2.9 GW build and other Round 3 schemes cluster contracts, lift local content, and unlock economies of scale in foundations and logistics. The Industrial Growth Plan estimates 10,000 additional jobs each year and a GBP 25 billion economic value by 2035, assuming annual deployment remains near 6 GW. Yet, Ørsted’s cancellation of Hornsea 4 underscores the need for realistic strike prices and resilient supply chains.

Repowering of early onshore fleets reaching 20-year life

Projects such as Hagshaw Hill replaced 1990s turbines with half the unit count yet quintupled output, cutting LCOE and minimizing fresh land take. Octopus Energy aims to refurbish 1,000 legacy machines, potentially adding 5 GW on pre-consented footprints. Proven wind data, existing community support, and grid capacity shrink lead times compared with greenfield builds. Modern 6-8 MW platforms also provide grid-formative services, enhancing system value.

Supply-chain bottlenecks in XXL monopiles and HVDC cables

Europe’s fabrication capacity is projected to cover only 70% of steel demand by 2029, with the UK's needs alone at 3.8 million tonnes for 2025-2027. Limited plants capable of producing more than 2,000 tons of monopiles drive 40-50% price jumps and multi-year lead times. SeAH Wind’s Teesside line, due 2026, helps but fills just a fraction of the gap. HVDC cable slots exhibit similar strain, potentially risking grid connection delays.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• CfD AR6 price-floors linked to CPI(X)
• Grid-balancing revenues from National Grid’s Dynamic Services reform
• Community opposition in scenic highlands delaying permits

Segment Analysis

The UK wind power market size for onshore installations reached 17.9 GW in 2025, accounting for 51.88% of the total capacity. Onshore’s cost advantage, rapid build cycle, and revived policy status attract at least six developers exploring fresh English sites and large-scale repowering. Projects such as Scout Moor II, at 100 MW, underscore the scale unlocked after the ban was lifted. Repowering older clusters quadruples capacity on proven ground and capitalizes on existing grid access.

Policy momentum also fuels community support schemes that tie local ownership to bill credits, thereby smoothing the planning process. Yet grid headroom in northern England and Scotland narrows, making reinforcement indispensable to double onshore to the targeted 30 GW by 2030. Digital forecasting and flexible connections mitigate curtailment risk as National Grid’s stability markets mature.

Offshore accounted for 16.6 GW in 2025 and is on track for 50.03 GW by 2031, advancing at a 20.18% CAGR. The segment benefits from mean capacity factors above 50% and project modularity above 1 GW, which improves financing scale and export potential. ScotWind’s 25 GW leasing and Celtic Sea’s 4.5 GW floating awards dominate the project tracker. While monopile and vessel constraints temper near-term build rates, inflation-indexed CfD strike prices now better reflect higher capex, restoring bid appetite.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Location
  • On-shore
  • Off-shore
• By Turbine Capacity
  • Up to 3 MW
  • 3 to 6 MW
  • Above 6 MW
• By Application
  • Utility-scale
  • Commercial and Industrial
  • Community Projects
• By Component (Qualitative Analysis)
  • Nacelle/Turbine
  • Blade
  • Tower
  • Generator and Gearbox
  • Balance-of-System

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• Ørsted A/S
• SSE Renewables
• ScottishPower Renewables (Iberdrola)
• RWE Renewables
• Vattenfall AB
• Equinor ASA
• EDF Renewables UK
• RES Group
• Vestas Wind Systems A/S
• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA
• GE Vernova
• Nordex SE
• Suzlon Energy Ltd
• MingYang Smart Energy
• Goldwind
• CS Wind UK
• JDR Cables
• Fugro
• DEME Offshore
• Cadeler A/S

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support