AMA Research has recently published the 2nd Edition of its Commercial Wind Energy Market in the UK Report, which should be of particular interest to individuals and institutional investors, and provides a comprehensive and easy to use review of the commercial wind energy sector.

Renewable energy is central to the new coalition government's objectives to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 30% by 2020 and to generate 15% of the UK’s energy supply from renewable sources by 2020.

With onshore wind farms already making a considerable contribution in the UK, the key opportunities for larger scale development going forward lie offshore.

For the first time, in 2009, the UK wind energy sector delivered more than 1GW of new wind power capacity in one year and the forward pipeline is also very healthy, with 2.4GW of onshore and offshore capacity under construction, a further 6.5GW consented and 9.9GW in planning.

The UK is aiming for onshore wind to grow from around 3.5GW today to at least 13-14GW by 2020, and suitable sites for up to 32GW of offshore wind power development have been identified by the Crown Estate for this timeframe. This installation programme for UK offshore wind until 2020 captures the delivery of all Crown Estate Round 1-3 projects.

The shift from current operating capacities represents a tremendous challenge by the sector and its supply chain to deliver an unprecedented scale of development over a relatively short time span, necessitating an average build rate of around 950MW onshore wind per year and around 2.2GW of offshore wind per year.

The Report reviews the key issues affecting both the on and offshore wind energy markets including the estimated costs and timetable for construction, key players involved and an analysis of the major factors affecting wind farm development such as planning, turbine availability and connection to the grid. With renewable energy firmly on the new coalition government’s agenda, the Report also explores the market opportunities ahead for the construction industry and the wider supply chain.