Soaring Project Development Activities Set New Milestones for the Global Floating Wind Market 2025
New government policies, combined with technological breakthroughs and major project surveys in June 2025, are expected to set new records for global offshore wind projects. These advancements will also mark a substantial shift in the global offshore wind industry.
Japan became the world's most prominent proponent in June 2025 after it unlocked new legislation allowing the development of floating wind turbines in deeper water areas. This legislation is particularly beneficial, as Japan will now be able to fully capitalize on its offshore wind potential, along with the numerous deep-water projects the country is expected to undertake in the near future. It is estimated that this law will generate significant capital and accelerate the deployment of floating wind turbines in the Pacific basin.
In 2025, Norway added to the momentum by opening its inaugural floating wind tender at the Utsira Nord site. The tender selects a floating wind capacity of up to 500 MW. It is expected to progress through June 2025, with proposals anticipated to be submitted by 2028-2029, supported by a generous subsidy of 35 billion NOK (~$ 3.37 billion) from the supporting fund. Norway's offshore wind policy has shifted from a purely wait-and-see approach to actively promoting innovation in floating wind structures designed for deeper waters.
China, one of the emerging players in offshore wind energy, showcased its most sophisticated floating wind turbine prototype—the Qihang—on June 4, 2025. It's engineered to operate in greater water depths and harsher environments, which highlights China's motives to dominate in both offshore fixed and floating wind turbine deployments. While in the UK, the Green Volt floating wind farm project off Scotland initiated a high-resolution 3D seismic survey in June 2025. This, sponsored by TGS ASA, marks another achievement for the North Sea's floating wind potential, moving from feasibility to implementation.
With these advancements, June 2025 marks another milestone in global floating wind activities. Policy framework incentives, new prototypes, and supporting construction activities indicate that floating wind is not merely a developing sector—it is rapidly becoming a key component of the offshore renewable energy industry.
