'Time is of the essence': UK offshore wind setbacks could jeopardise 2050 net zero target, studies warn

Stuart Stone
clock • 5 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

Separate analyses by Cornwall Insight and Imperial College London warn slower offshore wind rollout signalled by recent CfD auction could increase power prices, carbon emissions and delay net zero

The government risks narrowly missing its 50GW offshore wind target for the end of the decade, which could in turn jeopardise the UK's legally binding 2050 net zero by 2050 goal, due to rising industry...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Wind

Floating wind power: Sumitomo Corporation snaps up stake in proposed 1.5GW Celtic Sea project

Floating wind power: Sumitomo Corporation snaps up stake in proposed 1.5GW Celtic Sea project

Tokyo-based investor acquires stake in project which involves development, construction and operation of a floating offshore wind farm with a planned generation capacity of up to 1.5 GW

clock 12 August 2026 • 2 min read
Grid curtailment costs: Britain's 'wasted wind power' bill exceeds £1bn so far in 2026

Grid curtailment costs: Britain's 'wasted wind power' bill exceeds £1bn so far in 2026

Cost of paying renewables operators to switch off during periods when grid capacity is constrained and firing up fossil gas plants instead could hit record high this year

Michael Holder
clock 11 August 2026 • 4 min read
Welsh government approves 200MW floating offshore wind farm in Celtic Sea

Welsh government approves 200MW floating offshore wind farm in Celtic Sea

Consent granted for Llŷr Wind Farm, with around 2,000 jobs expected to be created during construction

Stuart Stone
clock 10 August 2026 • 3 min read