German energy company RWE and global investment firm KKR will invest $16 billion (£12 billion) in offshore wind projects in the UK in what is likely the biggest renewable energy investment in Britain ever.
RWE and KKR expect to deliver the Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind projects in the UK North Sea with this investment after reaching financial close for both projects. Together, the projects, representing £12 billion investment including the construction of the wind farms and their associated transmission infrastructure, will be one of the UK’s largest offshore wind developments, RWE said on Wednesday.
The Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms, with a combined generation capacity of around 2.8 gigawatts (GW) will be fully commissioned in 2030 and capable of powering around three million UK homes, the German energy giant noted.
The UK is one of the leading global markets for offshore wind, with current operating capacity exceeding 16 GW and ambitions to raise installed capacity to more than 43 GW by 2030.
Last year, offshore wind generated a record 17.9% share of the UK’s power generation with a record 52 TWh in 2025, up from a 17% share, or 48.8 TWh delivered in 2024, government data showed earlier this year.
“Vanguard West and Vanguard East will add significant new generation capacity to the UK’s electricity system, making an important contribution to domestic energy security, while also delivering electricity at an affordable price for consumers,” RWE said in a statement.
Acknowledging the investment, the UK government said today that the investment, believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date, will support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation.
“This major investment in UK renewables is a vote of confidence for building in Britain,” Prime Minister Andy Burnham said.
“And it is great news for billpayers because every turbine we put up is power under British control, not at the mercy of events on the other side of the world.”
By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com
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