The volume of offshore wind capacity under construction has seen significant growth across a number of core and emerging markets in recent years, reaching a record high of 53.59 GW in February 2025. This month’s Analysis takes a closer look at the substantial pipeline of projects set to underpin firm near-term growth of the offshore wind sector.

The CZ2 (1,207 MW) offshore wind project achieved first power, and the Lemen I Expansion (354 MW) has completed the installation of all turbines.

Orsted receives substation topsides for its Taiwanese windfarms, Mitsubishi reconsiders its offshore wind commitments in Japan and Vietnamese authorities consider delaying the country’s offshore wind targets to 2035. Meanwhile in Australia, a 1 GW farm clears a key approval required for commencing feasibility studies.

Hainan Yuehai Shpg’s CTV will be auctioned, tenders for turbine procurement contracts for Honghai Bay 6 (504 MW) and East Xuwen 2 have been initiated, and CCCC Third Harbour won the general contract for CTG Qingzhou Floating Wind Project

The long-term outlook for the offshore wind sector remains generally positive, though the sector is currently facing some challenges.

Offshore oil and gas markets have seen some mixed trends over the last six months, though a 7% drop in our Clarksons Offshore Index still leaves it on a par with 2008. Extracted from our forthcoming Offshore Review & Outlook, this week’s Analysis profiles the short-term more cautious attitude to investment from oil companies, but also areas where there is continued strength in offshore activity.

Installation of the first turbine at the Guoxin Dafeng 850 MW offshore wind project has been completed, and CEEC GEDI was awarded the general contract for the Fanshi 2 (1,008 MW).

CCCC Haifeng are planning to award two CTV newbuild orders, Dajin Offshore have completed the delivery of 36 monopiles to the Thor offshore wind project in Denmark, and Yantai Salvage have been awarded the contract for turbine and foundation installation at the Yuetuo Island Phase 1 project.

WTIV delivered to PowerChina Harbour, CZ3-1 (600 MW) project has achieved first power, and CTG Jiangsu Dafeng 800 MW offshore wind project has started offshore construction.

Japan’s government proposes changes to the country’s offshore wind auction rules, a South Korean state utility exits an offshore wind project off the country and an Australian developer withdraws its bid for an upcoming offshore wind zone. Meanwhile in Taiwan, Macquarie sells its stake in the Formosa 2 windfarm to a local energy company.

CEEC GEDI won the general contract for the East Xuwen 3 (500 MW) project, and CNOOC Lufeng Floating Demo (16 MW) commenced the floating foundation construction at COOEC Qingdao

Though investment trends across offshore wind are currently mixed, the long-term outlook for growth of the offshore wind sector remains generally positive.

Building a GW-scale offshore windfarm is a vessel intensive process, with a wide array of vessel types required to carry out and support component installation. This month’s Analysis profiles vessel activity at the 1.2 GW Dogger Bank A windfarm which is currently under construction off the UK, and examines how many vessels have supported the construction of the project to date.

CZ1-1 (600 MW) project has achieved full-capacity grid connection, and CCCC Third Harbour won the general construction contract for the Shanhaiguan Phase 1 (501.5 MW) project.

Jiangsu Province has announced the results of the offshore wind project competitive allocation totaling 8.05 GW, CMHI (Shenzhen) has signed a new build contract with Asso Subsea for a cable layer, and ZTT Submarine won the contract for the supply and installation of the 66 kV inter-array cable for the Cangnan 1 Expansion project.

Though investment trends within the UK offshore wind market have been mixed in recent years amid inflationary pressures, the long-term outlook for the UK sector remains positive. Firm growth of offshore wind capacity off the UK is expected over the long-term, with the UK expected to remain Europe's largest offshore wind market. Download our latest report for the full analysis of the UK offshore wind sector.

Dandong authorities have announced the results of its 3.5 GW offshore wind competition allocation and CTG has announced the bidding results for the general construction contract for its 400 MW Pinghai Bay DE project.

The outlook for the US offshore wind sector has become increasingly uncertain since the Presidential election in November. On his first day in office, the new US President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order halting the award of new offshore wind leases and ordering a full review of the federal permitting process for offshore windfarms. As such, it is important to place the US offshore wind sector into context and examine the potential impacts of the Executive Order on offshore wind in the US

A commercial-scale windfarm in South Korea completes the installation of all its turbines, a new offshore wind zone is declared off the Bass Strait in Australia, and a floating wind project in the Philippines secures grid connection rights. Meanwhile in Japan, Vestas secures its first order for the company’s flagship 15 MW turbines in the country.