What is the Hornsea 4 Project?

What was the Hornsea 4 project?

The Hornsea 4 project was a proposed large-scale offshore wind farm in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast of England. Spearheaded by renewable energy giant Ørsted, Hornsea 4 was set to become one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms. It was the next phase in a series of successful wind farm developments including Hornsea 1, 2, and 3, aiming to expand the UK's leadership in offshore wind energy.

With a proposed capacity of up to 2.6 gigawatts (GW), Hornsea 4 was expected to generate enough electricity to power over 2 million UK homes. The project was a major component of the UK's renewable energy targets and net-zero carbon transition strategy.

Who was behind Hornsea 4?

The Hornsea 4 project was being developed by Ørsted, a Danish multinational energy company and a global leader in offshore wind. Ørsted has already completed Hornsea 1 and 2 and continues work on Hornsea 3.

Their expertise in offshore infrastructure and renewable technology had positioned them at the forefront of the UK's green energy transition.

Planned scope of Hornsea 4

Hornsea 4 was designed to have a generating capacity of up to 2.6 GW. The proposed project area would have spanned approximately 860 square kilometers in the North Sea, with turbines located more than 65 kilometers from the Yorkshire coast.

Plans included:

• Up to 180 offshore wind turbines

• Offshore and onshore substations

• A new high-voltage transmission line

• Cables to connect the wind farm to the National Grid

This would have made Hornsea 4 one of the largest and most ambitious offshore wind projects in the world.

Why was Hornsea 4 important for the UK?

The Hornsea 4 project aimed to:

• Contribute to net-zero targets: by generating clean electricity for millions of homes

• Improve energy security: by reducing reliance on fossil fuels

• Create jobs: through construction, maintenance, and operational roles

• Reinforce the UK’s global leadership: in offshore renewable technology

Timeline and cancellation

Hornsea 4 had achieved several major milestones:

• 2018: project announced

• 2021: planning application submitted

• 2023: environmental and public consultations completed

• 2024: development Consent Order (DCO) granted by the UK government

However, despite gaining approval, Ørsted announced the cancellation of the Hornsea 4 project in 2025. The decision was driven by escalating costs, supply chain pressures, and challenges securing viable financial terms in a changing energy market.

Why was Hornsea 4 cancelled?

Several factors contributed to the cancellation:

• Rising costs: inflation and material shortages significantly increased project expenses.

• Supply chain issues: delays and availability problems across key components.

• Economic viability: market conditions and government contract terms made the project financially unfeasible.

Despite strong ambitions, the risk-adjusted return on investment no longer aligned with Ørsted's strategic and financial thresholds.

Environmental and economic considerations

While the cancellation was a setback for the UK’s offshore wind goals, it also raised important questions:

• Marine ecosystems: some environmental groups viewed the cancellation as a reprieve for sensitive marine areas.

• Local economies: job creation and infrastructure development tied to Hornsea 4 will no longer materialize.

• Policy and incentives: industry observers have called for more supportive regulatory frameworks and price mechanisms to ensure future projects remain viable.

The future of offshore wind in the UK

While Hornsea 4 has been shelved, the UK still aims to reach 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030. Focus is shifting to:

• Optimising existing projects

• Investing in floating wind technologies

• Reviewing auction mechanisms and financial incentives

The cancellation of Hornsea 4 is a reminder of the complexities and financial risks involved in scaling renewable infrastructure. However, it does not mark the end of the UK’s offshore wind ambitions.

The Hornsea 4 project once represented the future of offshore wind in the UK. Though ultimately cancelled, it remains a critical case study in the evolution of large-scale renewable energy projects. Lessons learned from its development and cancellation will shape the trajectory of offshore wind policy, investment, and innovation moving forward.