Upgrades to the UK’s air defence radar systems will also have an unexpected benefit in unlocking offshore wind capacity.

New radar systems could allow the development of a further 10GW of offshore wind in UK waters whilst providing air defence by mitigating against anomalies currently created by offshore wind farms.

Currently, offshore wind development is hampered by tits adverse effect on national security, but the new radars, which will be installed from early 2029, will be able to better coexist with new offshore wind farms, without risk of interference, a worrying gap in the current defence of the country, particularly at a time of global conflict.

Energy Minister, Michael Shanks said: “This new radar technology will unlock a key barrier holding back offshore wind farms, so that we can deliver the clean homegrown power needed to protect families from volatile fossil fuel markets, while bolstering our national security.”

Benj Sykes of Ørsted, said: “The Offshore Wind Industry Council welcomes the conclusion of procurement for a new air defence mitigation solution. This will ensure we are able to unlock over 10GW of wind energy by 2030, as well as billions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs for the UK, without compromising our national defence. This is the culmination of a truly collaborative process over several years, with government and industry working in lockstep to deliver a solution that allows air defence and offshore wind to harmoniously co-exist.”

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