Jan 8, 2026
New postponement for large UK offshore wind farm initiative
One of the largest offshore wind farms planned globally has encountered a hurdle after the anticipated decision on its planning approval was postponed.
The UK government revealed today that it has extended the timeline for issuing RWE a Development Consent Order for the 3 gigawatt Dogger Bank South project by more than three months, as reported by Recharge, a sister publication of Upstream. The decision was originally expected on January 10, but UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will now have until April 30 to make a determination.
RWE has been working on the Dogger Bank South project in two phases of 1.5 GW, situated about 100 kilometers off the North Yorkshire coast in the UK North Sea. Emirati renewable energy company Masdar holds a 49% share in the initiative.
This isn’t the first delay encountered by the extensive wind farm project. An RWE attorney expressed his surprise and claimed that planning officials had “made a mistake” after the consent process was previously postponed due to issues related to seabirds in 2024.
Dogger Bank South has faced, like many offshore wind projects, challenges over the wind wakes it may create affecting nearby developments, as well as potential interference with radar systems.
The government did not clarify whether there was a specific issue causing the recent delay.
In a statement to Recharge, an RWE representative expressed disappointment at the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero’s decision to postpone the Development Consent Order for the 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farms.
The partners remain committed to collaborating with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and other relevant parties to furnish any necessary information to advance the projects, which could power approximately three million homes and create thousands of jobs.
The project was still eligible to participate in the UK’s AR7 offshore wind auction, with results expected on January 14. This is due to recent changes in the Contracts for Difference scheme rules, allowing fixed-bottom offshore wind projects to bid prior to securing planning consent.
The UK government revealed today that it has extended the timeline for issuing RWE a Development Consent Order for the 3 gigawatt Dogger Bank South project by more than three months, as reported by Recharge, a sister publication of Upstream. The decision was originally expected on January 10, but UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will now have until April 30 to make a determination.
RWE has been working on the Dogger Bank South project in two phases of 1.5 GW, situated about 100 kilometers off the North Yorkshire coast in the UK North Sea. Emirati renewable energy company Masdar holds a 49% share in the initiative.
This isn’t the first delay encountered by the extensive wind farm project. An RWE attorney expressed his surprise and claimed that planning officials had “made a mistake” after the consent process was previously postponed due to issues related to seabirds in 2024.
Dogger Bank South has faced, like many offshore wind projects, challenges over the wind wakes it may create affecting nearby developments, as well as potential interference with radar systems.
The government did not clarify whether there was a specific issue causing the recent delay.
In a statement to Recharge, an RWE representative expressed disappointment at the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero’s decision to postpone the Development Consent Order for the 3GW Dogger Bank South offshore wind farms.
The partners remain committed to collaborating with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and other relevant parties to furnish any necessary information to advance the projects, which could power approximately three million homes and create thousands of jobs.
The project was still eligible to participate in the UK’s AR7 offshore wind auction, with results expected on January 14. This is due to recent changes in the Contracts for Difference scheme rules, allowing fixed-bottom offshore wind projects to bid prior to securing planning consent.