Prime Minister Andy Burnham has welcomed a £12bn investment in two major offshore wind projects by RWE and global investment firm KKR, which was believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date. The projects, Vanguard West and Vanguard East, are expected to be operational by 2030 and capable of supplying the equivalent of around three million homes, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office ahead of Burnham's attendance at the COP31 summit in Turkey.
The announcements come as Burnham travels to the COP31 summit in Turkey, and follow last week's introduction of the Energy Independence Bill, which the government said would put affordability at the heart of the energy system. The government said the investment would strengthen energy security and that clean, homegrown power would protect the UK from global energy shocks that raise prices.
The investment includes a £1bn contribution from the UK's National Wealth Fund, which the government said demonstrates how public money can unlock private investment and generate a return for taxpayers. Onshore works are already advanced, with offshore construction set to begin in early 2027. The projects are expected to support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation.
Separately, energy company SSE announced that the latest phase of its Berwick Bank offshore wind farm, Berwick Bank B, will support 2,677 skilled jobs across manufacturing, engineering and project delivery in the north of England and Scotland, contracting Siemens Energy to manufacture wind turbines and substation platforms. At full capacity, Berwick Bank, off the east coast of Scotland, could become the world's largest offshore wind farm, capable of meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand.
Burnham said the investment was a “vote of confidence” in building in Britain and that every turbine brought “power under British control”. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said Britain was “leading from the front as a renewable energy powerhouse”. RWE CEO Markus Krebber said the projects would strengthen domestic electricity generation and make an important contribution to the country's long-term energy security, while SSE Chief Executive Martin Pibworth described the news as “public-private partnership in action”.
The government has also moved to remove standing charges on household energy bills and provide £100 to households this winter to help with costs.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The £12bn investment is the largest offshore wind investment in UK history, signalling strong private and public sector commitment to clean energy.
- The projects will create thousands of jobs in coastal and industrial communities that the government aims to place at the centre of the green transition.
- The use of the National Wealth Fund shows a model for leveraging public finance to attract private capital, with potential implications for future infrastructure projects.
Background
The UK government has prioritised domestic clean energy to improve energy security and lower household bills, with offshore wind as a key pillar of its strategy. The recently introduced Energy Independence Bill seeks to accelerate the transition and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The investments announced today build on that policy direction ahead of the COP31 summit.
What to Watch
- The start of offshore construction for Vanguard West and Vanguard East in early 2027.
- The full development of Berwick Bank B, which could become the world's largest offshore wind farm.
- The outcome of COP31 and whether the UK leverages the investment to push for greater global climate ambition.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe £12bn investment is believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “RWE, together with global investment firm KKR, have announced a total investment of £12 billion, believed to be the biggest of its kind in UK history to date.”
- SupportedBurnham called the investment a “vote of confidence” in building in Britain.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “This major investment in UK renewables is a vote of confidence for building in Britain.”
- SupportedBurnham said every turbine brought “power under British control”.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “every turbine we put up is power under British control”
- SupportedFahnbulleh said Britain was “leading from the front as a renewable energy powerhouse”.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Britain is leading from the front as a renewable energy powerhouse”
- SupportedPibworth described the announcement as “public-private partnership in action”.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “This is public-private partnership in action.”
- SupportedRWE and KKR announced a total £12bn investment in Vanguard West and Vanguard East.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “RWE, together with global investment firm KKR, have announced a total investment of £12 billion”
- SupportedVanguard West and Vanguard East are set to be operational by 2030.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “It will give the green light to its Vanguard West and Vanguard East offshore wind farms, set to be operational by 2030”
- SupportedThe Vanguard farms will have capacity equivalent to supplying around three million UK homes.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “once operational, the wind farms will have the capacity to supply the equivalent of around three million UK homes.”
- SupportedThe Vanguard projects are expected to support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “the investment will support more than 2,400 jobs during construction and operation”
- SupportedBerwick Bank B will back 2,677 skilled jobs across manufacturing, engineering and project delivery in the north of England and Scotland.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “Berwick Bank B, will back 2,677 skilled jobs in manufacturing, engineering and project delivery across the north of England and Scotland”
- SupportedAt full capacity, Berwick Bank could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm and meet more than 6% of current UK electricity demand.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “At its full capacity, Berwick Bank, off the East coast of Scotland, could become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, capable of meeting more than 6% of current UK electricity demand.”
- SupportedThe government is removing standing charges and giving households £100 to help pay bills this winter.News and communications from Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street (Number 10): “The government is protecting households from rising costs through removing standing charges and giving households £100 to help them pay their bills this winter”