The developer of the Hornsea 4 windfarm expansion has “discontinued” the project, blaming a surge in challenges including higher costs.
Orsted made the announcement while revealing a bigger than expected rise in first quarter profits despite increased headwinds facing its offshore wind interests.
The Danish firm secured funding for both Hornsea 3 and Hornsea 4 under the government’s auction of renewable energy “contracts for difference” last year.
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The projects, when combined, would have more than doubled the size of the existing Hornsea windfarm off the East Yorkshire coast – already the world’s largest.
It had the potential to add 2,400 MW of peak capacity – enough to power 2.6 million homes.
But the company said on Wednesday that Hornsea 4 was no longer viable in its current form.
It cited “several adverse developments relating to continued increase of supply chain costs, higher interest rates, and an increase in the risk to construct and operate Hornsea 4 on the planned timeline for a project of this scale”.
It added: “Orsted will evaluate options for future development of the Hornsea 4 project given the continuing seabed rights, grid connection agreement and Development Consent Order.”
The existing Hornsea development is already the world’s largest by area
The decision represents a blow to the government’s green energy ambitions.
It wants to eliminate the UK’s reliance on natural gas for energy security which, it says, will erase the country’s exposure to price volatility, bring down bills and bolster the fight against climate change at the same time.
Orsted boss Rasmus Errboe said: “We remain fully committed to being an important partner to the UK government to help them achieve their ambitious target for offshore wind build-out and appreciate the work they’ve done to deliver a clear framework to support offshore wind.
“However, our capital allocation is based on a strict and value-focused approach, and after careful consideration, we’ve decided to discontinue the development of the Hornsea 4 project in its current form, well ahead of the planned Final Investment Decision later this year.”
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A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson responded: “We recognise the effect that globally high inflation and supply chain constraints are having on industry across Europe, and we will work with Orsted to get Hornsea 4 back on track.
“We have a strong pipeline of projects to deliver clean power by 2030 and our mission-led approach ensures we can steer our way through global pressures and individual commercial decisions to reach our targets.
“Through our mission we will deliver an energy system that brings energy bills down for good and bolsters Britain’s energy security as part of our Plan for Change.”
Dhara Vyas, the chief executive of industry body Energy UK, responded: “In 2024, wind overtook gas as GB’s largest source of power. Along with the broad range of technologies we have, wind has already and will continue to play a significant role in reducing our reliance on foreign fossil fuels, and building a resilient energy system powered predominately by British sources.
“Not only will this boost energy security, it will grow our economy and bring down bills in the long-term.
“The loss of such a big project will raise the stakes yet further for the forthcoming Contracts for Difference auction round, AR7.
“Whilst Orsted has been clear this is not a result of government policy, with offshore wind playing such a critical role in our future energy ambitions it’s vital that the government doubles down to ensure AR7 is a success.”
Greenpeace UK’s head of climate, Mel Evans, said: “It is a tragic irony that gas-driven inflation is threatening the very thing that promises to bring down the soaring cost of energy, which has sent inflation and manufacturing costs through the roof. Getting off volatile and expensive gas and making renewables the backbone of our energy system has never been more necessary than it is right now.
“Post-COVID supply chain breakdowns have also made everything much harder to build, on time or on budget.
“This is why the government must double down on its commitment to clean power and invest heavily in domestic wind manufacturing. This would help to overcome the supply chain issues faced by companies like Orsted and lower costs, which would be good for the government’s clean power plan, good for jobs and good for Britain.”
