The UK Government’s plans to upgrade air defence radars in the country are expected to help unlock up to 10GW of offshore wind capacity.

It has procured specially designed air defence radars intended to reduce anomalies caused by wind turbines.

The new radars – which are a crucial part of the UK’s air defence, enabling the detection and identification of incursions and threats within UK airspace – will be installed from early 2029.

They can coexist with new offshore wind farms without risk of interference. 

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “This new radar technology will unlock a key barrier holding back offshore wind farms so that we can deliver the clean homegrown power needed to protect families from volatile fossil fuel markets, while bolstering our national security.”

The news follows the biggest single procurement of offshore wind energy in British and European history, in which the government secured a record 8.4GW of capacity – enough to power 12 million homes – at a price 40% lower than the cost of building and running a new gas power plant.

The radar systems upgrades are expected to ensure this offshore wind capacity can move from contract to construction.