EDF takes lead on UK's Five Estuaries offshore wind project

The ownership structure of the 1.1 GW Five Estuaries offshore wind farm project in the United Kingdom has undergone a significant reshaping. Following the exit of German energy company RWE, EDF has assumed leadership of the project's development on behalf of the joint venture partners.

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has acquired a 25% stake in the project from a Macquarie-led consortium through its Copenhagen Infrastructure V fund. The updated ownership breakdown consists of EDF at 33.33%, CIP at 25%, ESB at 20.83%, and Sumitomo Corporation at 20.83%.

Located approximately 40 kilometres off the coast of Essex and Suffolk in the southern North Sea, the project covers roughly 128 square kilometres. It is an extension of the operational Galloper offshore wind farm and has received development consent from the UK's Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. The site is planned to host up to 79 turbines with a maximum tip height of 370 metres. Once operational, the wind farm is expected to generate enough electricity to meet the annual needs of approximately one million average UK households.