Azerbaijan Starts Supplying Gas to Germany and Austria
January 21, 2026
The UK has secured 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity through Contracts for Difference Allocation Round 7 (AR7)— a significant step forward for energy security, decarbonisation and economic growth.
This capacity will generate enough clean electricity to power over 12 million homes, while unlocking £3.4 billion in private investment, following £204 million of public funding.
A key driver of AR7 is the Clean Industry Bonus (CIB), designed to strengthen UK supply chains and support cleaner manufacturing. Industry estimates suggest every £1 of public funding could attract £17 in private investment, particularly into economically disadvantaged regions.
🌍 Jobs and regional impact
- Up to 7,000 jobs expected across the UK
- Scotland set to receive up to £1.1 billion in supply chain investment, supporting around 2,400 roles
- Key ports including Nigg and Aberdeen, alongside manufacturers across Britain’s industrial regions, are expected to benefit
- The offshore wind sector is forecast to support 100,000 UK jobs by 2030
🔋 Project highlights RWE secured 6.9GW of capacity across:
- Norfolk Vanguard East & West (3.1GW)
- Dogger Bank South East & West (3GW)
- Awel y Môr in the Irish Sea (800MW)
All projects were awarded CfDs at £91.20/MWh (indexed to inflation). RWE has also partnered with KKR, which will acquire a 50% stake in the Norfolk Vanguard projects, subject to regulatory approval in 2026.
This latest CfD round reinforces offshore wind’s role as a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy transition — delivering power, jobs and long-term industrial value.
At GLEG, we see AR7 as further evidence that clean energy investment is driving real economic and regional impact across the UK. For more information contact us at hello@gleg.co.uk.