Almost 10pc of North Sea could be taken up by wind farms

Now a new report claims almost 10pc of the North Sea could be taken up by wind farms within decades.

Analysis by international maritime researchers says offshore wind capacity in the North Sea is projected to grow six-fold by 2050.

Norwegian-based consultants DNV estimates that the area claimed by offshore wind generation will exceed 60,000 square kilometres - some 9pc of the sea.

Sheringham Shoal wind farm off the north Norfolk coast (Image: Ian Burt) Infrastructure will in total claim almost 25pc of shallower areas between two and 50km from the shore.

“The North Sea is central to Europe’s energy, food and supply chain security," said Bente Pretlove, director of food and ocean systems at DNV.

A graphic showing how wind farms could claim almost 10pc of the North Sea (Image: DNV)

"Collaboration across borders and sectors is required to enhance security in the North Sea and to overcome challenges such as ocean health, spatial competition and infrastructure for the offshore wind sector."

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Wind turbines seen from the beach at Hunstanton (Image: Chris Bishop) The report - North Sea Forecast: Ocean’s Future to 2050 - says ports will need to quadruple the capacity of facilities dedicated to offshore wind construction.

There will also the need for more vessels to install and service the turbines.

"While offshore wind is projected to grow, this is still not sufficient to meet the green energy ambitions of the Ostend Declaration for the North Sea," it adds.

Scroby Sands wind farm off Great Yarmouth (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Supply chain bottlenecks on the maritime side need to be addressed."

The declaration signed by the UK, along with European and Scandinavian neighbours in 2022 pledged the North Sea would become "the green power plant of Europe", with investment in offshore wind on "a massive scale".

The report says offshore wind is expected to generate power on a par with energy production from offshore gas and oil by 2050.