Offshore Wind Leasing Round 6

We intend to launch a new offshore wind leasing round in the first half of 2027.

Where will this new leasing round be and how big will it be? 

We believe this leasing round could accommodate a capacity of around 6GW or more, predominantly through fixed-bottom turbines off the coast of the North East of England.  

The exact capacity and specific site details and locations will be refined through market and stakeholder engagement throughout 2026, alongside further work with the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO).  This will also include consideration of any potential impacts on key seabird species, important fisheries areas, and shipping and navigation interests. 

A map showing the current Refined Areas of Search (highlighted in green) is available below. It is anticipated that around 12% of these areas would be needed to accommodate a leasing round of 6GW. The map also shows future pipeline leasing opportunities in the South West, Wales and other regions.

How is this different to previous leasing rounds?  

This will be the first leasing round brought to market using our Marine Delivery Routemap. This new tool brings together data from the sectors we manage, alongside other important users of the sea such as nature, fisheries and shipping. It helps us plan how and where the seabed can be developed and gives greater long-term visibility about the future use of marine space.  

The Refined Areas of Search for Round 6 were identified through the Routemap, and are based on extensive data, evidence and engagement over the last 18 months. 

This is also supporting closer collaboration with NESO. We are aiming for Round 6 to be the first leasing round to be fully aligned with the UK’s evolving energy system through their Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP). 

You can read more about this new approach here. 

What does this mean for local communities?  

The UK benefits from one of the most successful offshore wind markets in the world, delivering billions of pounds to the national economy and supporting 40,000 jobs. 

Building on our approach to Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, we plan to work with regional and industry stakeholders in advance to identify how the next leasing round can create new opportunities for communities, businesses and the economy in the North East and beyond. 

What happens next?  

Over the next year we will continue working with industry, regional and nature stakeholders to refine the details and approach for this leasing round. This will include detailed engagement on the spatial design to identify the best sites for the new windfarms within the Refined Areas of Search, the commercial model, and the best way to make sure Round 6 creates the right opportunities for communities and the UK economy.