Home / Business and Economy / Strait of Hormuz Blockade Threatens UK Offshore Wind Power
Strait of Hormuz Blockade Threatens UK Offshore Wind Power
25 Mar
Summary
- European offshore wind projects face delays due to Hormuz Strait shipping disruption.
- UK wind farms crucial for national energy targets could be impacted.
- TenneT's German North Sea projects also face potential supply chain issues.
Large offshore wind projects in Europe, including significant developments planned for UK waters, are facing potential delays. Industry concerns center on the disruption of shipping crucial components manufactured in the United Arab Emirates through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has threatened to close. These delays could impact two major UK wind farms off the coast of Norfolk, vital for the UK's aim to quadruple offshore wind capacity by 2030.
Developer RWE is in close contact with its supply chain partners, focusing on safety and developing mitigation plans. Although the Gulf's role in the global renewable energy supply chain is currently small, it was anticipated to grow. The potential closure of the strait also affects transmission projects like TenneT's, which link offshore wind power to Germany. While some components for TenneT's projects have already been shipped, others from UAE suppliers are at risk, potentially spurring calls for increased domestic manufacturing in the UK.
