The Morecambe offshore wind project has secured its final development consent from the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The approval of the Development Consent Order (DCO) marks a critical regulatory step for major infrastructure projects in England and Wales, clearing the path for construction to begin in 2027.
The project, with a planned installed capacity of 480 megawatts, is being developed by Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP) on behalf of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), which became sole owner of the wind farm in the first quarter of 2025. Once operational, the wind farm will be capable of supplying electricity to more than 500,000 UK households, supporting large-scale local energy production.
A regulatory milestone for developers
The approval process required several years of environmental studies, data collection and consultations with local and maritime authorities. The DCO covers the offshore generation assets, while a separate consent for the onshore connection facilities is expected at a later stage. The entire project is located in Morecambe Bay, off the northwest coast of England.
Copenhagen Offshore Partners, the exclusive offshore wind development partner of CIP, has led the technical and regulatory preparation of the project from its UK offices. Earlier stages of planning were also supported by Flotation Energy and COBRA, both involved in the initial phases.
Next step: construction launch
The next phase of the project involves finalising construction, marine logistics and grid connection contracts, along with launching tenders for key technical components. The project aims to align with the UK government’s renewable capacity targets by 2030, although an exact commissioning date has not yet been disclosed.
The Morecambe offshore wind farm is part of a broader wave of private investment in UK energy infrastructure. The granted consent reinforces the UK’s position as one of the most active offshore wind markets, with several large-scale developments either underway or nearing completion.
