Offshore Wind Accelerates as UK Moves Away from Gas

The UK’s latest offshore wind auction has delivered record levels of new capacity, reinforcing the shift away from volatile gas markets and towards long-term energy security.

Contracts were awarded for 8.4GW of offshore wind — enough to power around 12 million homes — marking a major step forward for the UK’s clean energy ambitions. To reflect inflation, supply chain pressures and the true cost of building new projects, strike prices rose by around 11% compared to the previous auction.

While higher prices have sparked political debate, the long-term picture is clear: home-grown renewable energy reduces exposure to global gas price shocks, stabilises costs over time and strengthens energy resilience. The auction also unlocked £22bn of private investment and supported thousands of jobs across the UK.

For businesses, this shift highlights the growing importance of forward-looking energy procurement strategies that balance cost, risk and sustainability in a changing market.

👉 If you’d like to discuss how these developments could impact your organisation’s energy procurement strategy, get in touch at hello@gleg.co.uk.