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Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Reform UK) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made (a) an estimate of the cost of the Hornsea windfarm project in the North Sea and (b) a comparative assessment of the efficiency of the project with drilling oil in the same area.

Answer

Offshore wind continues to play a key role in the future electricity system. There are several different Hornsea offshore wind farms, each developed privately and supported through different competitive allocation rounds, with project-specific costs known to their respective developers. Hornsea 4 remains in development and has not yet secured government support; it will need to demonstrate value for money through a future allocation round. The latest Allocation Round (AR7) secured offshore wind capacity at a price 40% lower than the cost and operating a new gas-fired generation.

The Department has not made a comparative assessment of the efficiency of the project against drilling for oil in the same area.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
17972
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Costs Exploration Oil North Sea Seas and oceans Wind power
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk