Dogger Bank Wind Farm is the biggest offshore wind farm in the world by planned capacity. Sitting in the North Sea off the north-east coast of England, the three-phase project will reach a combined 3.6 gigawatts (GW) when complete. As of August 2026, Dogger Bank is still under construction, with completion expected in mid-2028.
If you only count fully operational developments, the answer changes. China Three Gorges’ Yangjiang Shapa offshore wind development has 1.7 GW of installed capacity across five phases and has been fully operational since December 2021.
The distinction matters because offshore wind rankings can count one phase, an entire multi-phase development, or only generating assets. Put simply:
- Largest offshore wind farm under construction: Dogger Bank, United Kingdom — 3.6 GW when complete
- Largest fully operational multi-phase development: Yangjiang Shapa, China — 1.7 GW
- One of Europe’s largest operational offshore wind farms: Hollandse Kust Zuid, Netherlands — 1.509 GW
Which project is the largest offshore wind farm?
Dogger Bank is widely described as the largest offshore wind farm because no other project currently under construction has a greater planned combined capacity. It’s being delivered as three adjoining 1.2 GW phases: Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C.
Together, the phases will comprise 277 turbines and are expected to generate enough renewable electricity to supply around six million UK homes a year. At its nearest points, the project sits between 130 and 190 kilometres from England’s north-east coast.
It hasn’t reached full commercial operation yet, though. According to the project’s August 2026 update, the turbine campaign for phase A is complete, installation continues at phase B, and offshore installation for phase C is due to begin in 2027. Overall completion is expected in mid-2028.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm facts
| Fact | Detail |
| Location | North Sea, 130–190 km from the north-east coast of England |
| Planned capacity | 3.6 GW |
| Development phases | Dogger Bank A, B and C |
| Capacity per phase | 1.2 GW |
| Total turbines | 277 |
| Turbine technology | GE Vernova Haliade-X 13 MW and 14 MW turbines |
| Expected annual household equivalent | Around six million UK homes |
| Owners | SSE 40%, Equinor 40%, Vårgrønn 20% |
| Construction lead | SSE |
| Operator after completion | Equinor |
| Expected completion | Mid-2028 |
| Expected operational life | Around 35 years |
What is the largest operational offshore wind farm in the world?
When multi-phase developments are counted as a single project, Yangjiang Shapa in Guangdong, China, is the largest fully operational offshore wind development by installed capacity. China Three Gorges Corporation reports a total of 1.7 GW across the development, with 269 offshore turbines and three offshore booster stations.
The wind farm entered full operation on 25 December 2021. Its expected annual output is roughly 4.7 billion kilowatt-hours — enough, the developer says, to meet the electricity needs of around two million households.
Some international lists split Yangjiang Shapa into individual phases, which is why Hollandse Kust Zuid or Hornsea 2 sometimes appear as the answer in other rankings. That apparent disagreement usually comes down to how a “single wind farm” is defined, not an error in the capacity figures.
How do the world’s biggest offshore wind farms compare?
| Offshore wind project | Country | Capacity | Status (Aug 2026) | Important distinction |
| Dogger Bank A, B and C | United Kingdom | 3.6 GW combined | Under construction | Largest project under construction; completion expected mid-2028 |
| Hornsea 3 | United Kingdom | 2.9 GW | Under construction | Expected to complete around the end of 2027 |
| Yangjiang Shapa | China | 1.7 GW combined | Operational | Five-phase development with 269 turbines |
| Hollandse Kust Zuid | Netherlands | 1.509 GW | Operational | 139-turbine project built without government price subsidies |
| Hornsea 2 | United Kingdom | 1.32 GW | Operational | 165-turbine wind farm fully operational in 2022 |
Capacities describe the maximum electricity a project can produce at a given moment under suitable conditions. Actual annual generation also depends on wind speeds, turbine availability, maintenance and grid constraints.
Why is Dogger Bank so significant?
Dogger Bank shows how offshore wind is moving towards larger turbines, more distant sites and multi-gigawatt developments.
Scale
At 3.6 GW, Dogger Bank’s planned capacity is more than twice that of Hollandse Kust Zuid. Its three phases are designed to operate as one major source of renewable electricity while using separate infrastructure and delivery programmes.
Turbine technology
Dogger Bank uses GE Vernova’s Haliade-X turbines, rated at 13 MW or 14 MW depending on the phase. More powerful turbines let developers produce more electricity from fewer units than earlier technology allowed.
Distance from shore
The wind farm sits more than 130 kilometres offshore. Working at that distance demands detailed marine coordination, specialist installation vessels, robust subsea cables and carefully planned crew transfers.
Long-term employment
Offshore wind farms need people throughout development, construction, commissioning, operations and eventual decommissioning. Dogger Bank’s expected operating life of around 35 years shows why the sector creates demand well beyond the initial installation campaign.
What jobs are needed to build and operate a large offshore wind farm?
The world’s largest offshore wind projects rely on a broad international workforce. Key roles include:
- Offshore wind turbine technicians
- Electrical and mechanical technicians
- Commissioning engineers
- High-voltage cable engineers and jointers
- Offshore installation managers
- Construction and project managers
- Marine coordinators
- Dynamic positioning officers and vessel crew
- Crane operators and lifting supervisors
- ROV pilots and subsea specialists
- Surveyors and geotechnical professionals
- HSE managers and advisors
- SCADA and controls engineers
- Operations and maintenance technicians
During construction, employers need people who can install foundations, turbines, array cables, export cables and offshore substations safely and efficiently. Once the wind farm is operational, the focus shifts to planned maintenance, inspection, troubleshooting, asset integrity and performance optimisation.
How are offshore wind farms likely to become even larger?
Future projects are expected to combine higher-capacity turbines with larger development zones and improved transmission infrastructure. Floating offshore wind may also unlock deeper waters where fixed-bottom foundations aren’t suitable.
Rankings will keep shifting as new phases are commissioned. Hornsea 3, for example, is planned at 2.9 GW, while Dogger Bank is expected to reach 3.6 GW once all three phases are complete. That’s why any claim about the biggest or largest offshore wind farm should include both the project status and the date of comparison. For a wider view across different markets, read our guide to offshore wind farm projects across the globe.
Build your offshore wind team or find your next role with WRS
As offshore wind farms grow in size and technical complexity, access to qualified people matters more than ever. WRS connects employers with experienced offshore wind professionals and supports candidates seeking roles across development, construction, commissioning and operations.
Explore offshore wind jobs or contact WRS to discuss your workforce requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the biggest offshore wind farm in the world?
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is in the North Sea, between 130 and 190 kilometres from the north-east coast of England. It’s the world’s biggest offshore wind farm by planned combined capacity, at 3.6 GW.
Is Dogger Bank the largest offshore wind farm currently operating?
No. Dogger Bank is still under construction as of August 2026 and is expected to complete in mid-2028. Yangjiang Shapa in China is the largest fully operational multi-phase development in this comparison, with 1.7 GW of installed capacity.
How many turbines will Dogger Bank have?
Dogger Bank will have 277 offshore wind turbines across its three phases, using GE Vernova Haliade-X turbines rated at 13 MW and 14 MW.
Is Hornsea 2 still the biggest offshore wind farm in the world?
Hornsea 2 held the record when it became fully operational in 2022. Its 165 turbines provide 1.32 GW of capacity, and it remains one of the world’s largest operational offshore wind farms — but larger multi-phase developments are now operating or under construction.
What is the difference between MW and GW?
MW means megawatt and GW means gigawatt. One gigawatt equals 1,000 megawatts, so Dogger Bank’s planned 3.6 GW capacity is equal to 3,600 MW.
What careers are available in offshore wind?
Offshore wind careers include turbine technicians, electrical and mechanical engineers, cable specialists, project managers, marine crew, ROV professionals, surveyors, HSE advisors and operations and maintenance personnel. Requirements vary by role, employer and location.
About the author
Apurva Agrawal is an SEO Specialist at Worldwide Recruitment Solutions (WRS), with three years of experience driving digital growth and visibility within the global recruitment sector.
This guide was developed in collaboration with and verified by Melissa Walsh, Marketing and Brand Manager at WRS, ensuring the workforce data and service methodologies reflect WRS’s global standards and positioning.
