This week on Energy Unplugged, Richard Howard, Global Director of Research at Aurora Energy Research, is joined by Nick Civetta, Project Leader at Aurora Energy Research, and Duncan Clark, Board Member at Renewable UK and former Head of Europe Development at Ørsted. In this episode experts unpack what recent allocation rounds mean for offshore wind project economics, and why the UK’s 50GW target is increasingly a question of delivery rather than ambition. While confidence is returning after a market reset, significant challenges remain – particularly around grid infrastructure, supply chains, and the sheer scale of projects needing to be built this decade.
The conversation also looks ahead to how competition may evolve in future auctions, the growing role of system integration, and whether floating wind can scale commercially. Alongside this, they examine how AI and data centre demand could become a major driver of electricity consumption – and a potential opportunity for offshore wind.
You will learn about:
- Why recent auctions signal a reset for offshore wind economics
- What’s really holding back project delivery in the UK
- How grid constraints could shape deployment this decade
- The outlook for floating wind and its challenges
- Why AI and data centres are a key wildcard for future demand
Registration for the leading annual gathering of the European energy industry – the Aurora Spring Forum, taking place on 29th April 2026, in London is open - a one-day deep dive into the biggest strategic questions shaping Europe’s energy transition, plus top-tier networking and a live recording of Energy Unplugged. Book now at https://auroraer.com/events/aurora-spring-forum-2026 and use code PODCAST20 for 20% off.
