Wind Power

Home to the UK’s first commercial on-shore wind farm, Cornwall has long been at the leading edge of wind power. This trend is set to continue with Cornwall’s proximity to two future large scale off-shore sites, exciting supply chain opportunities, and local government commitment to wind power generation.

Cornwall is close to two of the UK’s most promising potential future off-shore wind farm sites, including the proposed ‘Atlantic Array’ to be located in the Bristol Channel and the site off the coast of Devon at Lyme Bay (west of Isle of Wight). These provide significant supply chain opportunities from operations and maintenance to deep water foundation technology, supply of blade tooling and materials. A Cornish company, Fugro Seacore, laid the foundations for the Isle of Wight development – the largest in the UK.

With government strategy aiming to generate an additional 25GW of offshore wind power per year by 2020, the UK is forecast to be the world's largest offshore wind market. Cornwall's location gives it excellent access to strategic markets, while EU funding available in Cornwall offers an added boost to wind power businesses.

As well as large scale developments, the county has seen increased demand for community owned wind farms and microgeneration. For example, at Jubilee Wharf in Penryn - a mixed commercial and residential development - four turbines provide 50% of the site's annual electricity requirement.

Whether on or off shore, large or small scale, Cornwall’s commitment to wind energy generation is rooted in the county, and will continue to attract large amounts of interest and investment.