In a landmark milestone for Britain’s offshore wind rollout, the Outer Dowsing offshore wind farm project has been granted development consent by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This clears path for the project’s progression. Outer Dowsing offshore wind farm project’s Development Consent Order (DCO) – an important statutory approval under the UK’s Planning Act 2008, was formally awarded on 10 February 2026 by Lord Whitehead on behalf of the Secretary of State. This followed an extensive examination process that engaged statutory consultees, local communities, and interested parties over a six-month period.

Outer Dowsing’s Development Consent Order (DCO) Application

The DCO application was submitted by GT R4 Limited, trading as ‘Outer Dowsing offshore wind’ – a joint venture of TotalEnergies, Corio Generation (part of Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group), and Gulf Energy Development. The submission was made in March 2024 and accepted for examination in April 2024. After a rigorous review and public hearing process, recommendations were then forwarded to the Secretary of State in July 2025, with the formal consent decision following in February 2026.

Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm: Project Overview

Located 54 km (33 miles) off the Lincolnshire coast in the southern North Sea, Outer Dowsing offshore wind farm is designed as a large-scale renewable energy project capable of delivering up to 1.5 GW of clean, low-carbon power. This is enough to meet the electricity needs of about 1.6 million UK households. The development consent also covers the installation of up to 100 wind turbines and associated high-voltage offshore electrical infrastructure, subsea and onshore export cables, and onshore connections to the national grid. The development plans also include a new substation at Surfleet Marsh in South Lincolnshire.

The Outer Dowsing approval also marks a significant boost to the UK’s offshore wind pipeline. It adds to the country’s momentum toward 50 GW offshore wind target by 2030, and net-zero commitments. This is alongside other mega offshore projects like Norfolk Vanguard with 4.4 GW capacity. Outer Dowsing offshore wind project will also attract around £2 billion in investment during its lifetime and support thousands of UK-based jobs through construction and operations phases. This will strengthen both regional economic activity and national energy security by expanding domestic renewable capacity.

Project Factsheet for Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Farm/Generating Station

Developer: GT R4 Ltd. – a JV of TotalEnergies, Corio Generation and Gulf Energy Development

Location: Southern North Sea, 54 km (33 mi) off Lincolnshire Coast in the UK

Capacity: Up to 1,500 MW

Turbines: Up to 100 offshore wind turbines

Offshore Infrastructure: Turbine arrays, offshore and onshore electrical substations, export cables.

Onshore Connection: Landfall near Anderby Marsh, South Lincolnshire. Transmission to Surfleet Marsh substation will follow.

DCO Decision: Granted February 2026 by UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Examining Authority Report: Submitted to Secretary of State 10 July 2025.

Economic Impact: £2 billion investment. Thousands of UK jobs also projected over lifecycle.

Household Equivalent: 1.6 million UK homes powered annually.

Key Statute: Planning Act 2008

Project Stakeholders, Contractors and their Roles

GT R4 Limited/Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind: Project owner

TotalEnergies: Partner and lead energy developer

Corio Generation: Joint venture investor and developer

Gulf Energy Development: Co-developer. Also supports technical and project delivery.

UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero: Decision authority on DCO

Planning Inspectorate: Lead examining authority that conducted statutory examination

National Grid: Future system operator for onshore grid connection. Will also oversee transmission infrastructure.