Guide

Crown Estate Seabed Lease

All offshore wind developments in English and Welsh waters require a seabed lease from The Crown Estate.

UK-wide

Leasing rounds

The Crown Estate releases seabed rights through competitive leasing rounds:

  • Round 4: Fixed-bottom offshore wind in English waters
  • Round 5: Floating offshore wind in Celtic Sea (up to 4.5GW capacity)

Agreement for Lease

Successful bidders receive an Agreement for Lease, which becomes a full lease once key milestones are met (typically DCO consent).

Capacity Increase Programme

The Crown Estate's Capacity Increase Programme allows existing projects to expand, unlocking an additional 4.7GW of capacity.

Crown Estate Bill 2024

New legislation will expand Crown Estate powers to accelerate offshore wind development, potentially bringing 20-30GW to lease stage by 2030.

  1. Monitor leasing round announcements

    Monitor The Crown Estate website for future leasing round announcements

  2. Prepare competitive bid

    Prepare technical and financial submissions for competitive bidding

  3. Sign Agreement for Lease

    If successful, sign Agreement for Lease and progress through milestones

  4. Coordinate with DCO timeline

    Coordinate seabed lease with DCO application timeline

  5. Convert to full lease

    Once DCO granted, convert Agreement for Lease to full lease

Crown Estate Offshore Wind Leasing

Crown Estate Offshore Wind Seabed Leasing

Securing seabed rights is the critical first step for offshore wind projects in UK waters. The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland manage competitive leasing rounds with option fees, operational rent, and up to 60-year lease terms.

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Develop offshore wind projects and secure seabed leases

How to develop offshore wind projects in UK waters, from securing seabed rights through Crown Estate leasing rounds to obtaining Section 36 consent, safety zones, and grid connections. Covers England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland with differences in consenting regimes and landlords.

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Development Consent Order (DCO)

Offshore wind farms exceeding 100MW and other Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) require a Development Consent Order from the Secretary of State.

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Marine Licence

Activities in the marine environment (below Mean High Water Springs) require a Marine Licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in England.

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Offshore Wind Development Consent Orders (DCO)

Offshore wind projects over 100MW in English territorial waters require a Development Consent Order from the Secretary of State. Understand the specific thresholds, fees, timelines and 7-stage process for offshore wind NSIPs.

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